A day after the Indian cabinet cleared the proposal to open a consulate in Addu, the southernmost city of the archipelago, Maldives President Mohammed Solih has said that they have not yet received any proposal, reported Sun news.

On Tuesday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a cabinet meeting and cleared a proposal to establish a Consulate General of India in the Maldives’ Addu city. 

“We have not made a decision on the matter yet. It is known that India and the Maldives have a very close relationship. As with other neighboring nations,” Solih was quoted as saying by Sun news.

Solih, in a press conference, said that the Indian government has not yet shared any details regarding it. However, he added that discussions would be made to fulfill requests made by one another through diplomatic relations between the two nations. 

Solih also reminded that the archipelago, too, has a consular service office in the southern Indian city of Thiruvananthapuram -a place where most Maldivians in Indian reside-- apart from its embassy in New Delhi. He added that his government would give thought to the proposal once it receives through official channels. 

Meanwhile, a local council committee in Addu objected to the move, terming the decision an attempt to “colonize” the city. 

 While announcing the decision on Tuesday, the Indian government has said, “the opening of a Consulate General in Addu City will help augment India's diplomatic presence in the Maldives and make it commensurate with the existing and aspired level of engagement.”

(SAM)