"‘Big Bullies Don’t Give $4.5 Billion Aid,” EAM Jaishankar Jibes Maldives President Muizzu

Weeks after Maldives President Mohamad Muizzu shockingly indirectly referred to India as a bully, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar hit back at the pro-China leader. Jaishankar, in a veiled dig at President Muizzu, said that big bullies do not offer $4.5 billion aid or vaccine or food when neighbouring countries are in distress. Jaishankar was responding to a question on whether India is being perceived as a “bully” in the region. Moreover, the question was in reference to Muizzu calling India a bully amid the India-Maldives row. Jaishankar, who was speaking at an event promoting his book ‘Why Bharat Matters’, stressed on India’s role in providing assistance to its neighbouring countries whenever any crisis arose.