Beijing: China has promised to safeguard the sovereignty of the Maldives and enhance diplomatic ties, following the signing of crucial infrastructure agreements. Against the backdrop of geopolitical competition between Beijing and Delhi, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, elected in September with a commitment to strengthen relations with China and remove Indian troops, recently visited China. During his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the two leaders announced an “elevation of bilateral ties.”
Xi emphasized China’s respect for the Maldives’ exploration of a development path suited to its national conditions and expressed firm support for safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and national dignity. Muizzu acknowledged China’s significant role in the Maldives’ economic success and infrastructure development, highlighting the Belt and Road initiative’s contributions. The Maldives, heavily indebted to China, particularly through the Belt and Road program, signed new agreements covering climate, agriculture, and infrastructure during the visit.
The Maldives, renowned for its luxurious resorts and white sandy beaches, holds strategic importance due to its location along global shipping lanes in the Indian Ocean. President Muizzu, aiming to strengthen ties with China, had previously pledged to remove Indian security personnel from the country, a move indicating a shift in alliances. Despite his denial of seeking Chinese military involvement, tensions persist with India.
In addition to the diplomatic maneuvering, the Maldives faces a domestic challenge, with calls for a boycott of Indian tourism following a diplomatic row involving social media posts targeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The tourism sector, a significant contributor to the Maldives’ economy, is particularly sensitive to such geopolitical dynamics.
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