China has promised to support Maldives’ efforts to “maintain national sovereignty” and opposed “external interference” in the Indian Ocean archipelago’s internal affairs amid an ongoing row between Male and New Delhi over the issue of Lakshadweep islands.
China and the Maldives upgraded their relationship on Wednesday during newly elected President Mohamed Muizzu’s first state visit to Beijing. Speaking at the Great Hall of the People, Chinese President Xi Jinping called Muizzu “an old friend” as the Asian giant set the stage for further investment in the island nation by agreeing to a “comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership”.
“China and the Maldives’ relations are facing a historic opportunity to carry forward the past and forge ahead into the future,” Xi told Muizzu, Chinese state media reported. “China firmly supports the Maldives in upholding its national sovereignty, independence and national dignity, respects and supports the Maldives’ exploration of a development path that suits its national conditions, and firmly opposes external interference in the internal affairs of the Maldives,” the joint press communique read.
This statement comes after Muizzu on Sunday suspended three of his deputy ministers for posting derogatory comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the source of much of the tourism that drives the islands’ economy. Muizzu suspended until further notice Malsha Shareef, Mariyam Shiuna and Abdulla Mahzoon Maajid for their posts on X.
The three were responding to PM Modi’s posts on his official X account, promoting the pristine beaches of Lakshadweep—an archipelago off the southwestern coast of the Indian mainland, similar to the Maldives. In a strong response, Maldives High Commissioner Ibrahim Shaheeb was summoned on Monday to the Ministry of External Affairs in Delhi’s south block.
Read More: At ‘Pre-Arranged’ Meet, Indian Envoy Told Remarks Against PM Modi Do Not Represent Maldives’ Views
That same day, senior Maldivian official Ali Naseer Mohamed told India’s High Commissioner Munu Mahawar that the derogatory remarks made by now-suspended ministers against Modi do not represent the island country’s views. The message was conveyed during Ambassador Mahawar’s meeting with the Ambassador-at-Large at the Foreign Ministry, the Sun Online reported. Naseer also reaffirmed Maldives’ continued support for its neighbour.
Primarily known as one of the most expensive holiday destinations in South Asia, with pristine white beaches and secluded resorts, the Maldives has also become a geopolitical hotspot. Last year, Indians made up the largest number of tourists visiting the Maldives, which is famous for its luxury island resorts and white sandy beaches. India is also a strategic ally, with military personnel and helicopters stationed on the islands, but relations have deteriorated since Muizzu, who is considered to be pro-Chinese, was elected in November.
Muizzu’s party has been an eager recipient of funds from China’s Belt and Road infrastructure programme, a central pillar of Xi’s bid to expand China’s influence overseas. Muizzu’s mentor, former president Abdulla Yameen, borrowed heavily from Beijing for construction projects. That left it owing 42 percent of its total external debts of more than $3 billion to Beijing in 2021, AFP reported, citing the World Bank. The Maldives signed several fresh agreements with China on Wednesday, including ones on climate, agriculture and infrastructure. However, no details about the value of the agreements were shared by either side.
(With agency inputs)
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