BEIJING: The Maldives and China have announced an enhancement of bilateral relations, marking Beijing as the new ally and protector of the Maldivian government. The move comes amid a strain in ties with its long-standing ally, India.
Maldivian President Mohammed Muizzu and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to elevate their relations to a “comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership” during Muizzu’s first official visit to China. This signifies an intention to expand and strengthen practical cooperation between the two nations, according to a joint statement from the Maldives presidential office.
The statement further highlighted China’s firm support for the Maldives in upholding its national sovereignty, independence, and dignity. It expressed China’s respect for the Maldives’ exploration of a development path suited to its national conditions and opposition to external interference in the Maldives’ internal affairs.
As a tangible demonstration of the enhanced ties, the two sides signed 20 key agreements, signaling what the Maldives government termed as “a significant step in bilateral relations.”
Deepening Relations Between Maldives and China
The move to deepen relations with China is notable given the traditional ties that the Maldives has maintained with India. It has been customary for newly elected Maldivian presidents to make their first official visit to India, highlighting the significance of the shift in diplomatic engagement.
President Muizzu, who assumed power in September with an “India-out” campaign, has not indicated any plans for an official visit to New Delhi. The friction between the Maldives and India escalated recently when Maldivian officials responded to social media photos of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with insults and mockery.
India viewed these taunts as an attack on its dignity, leading both countries to summon their respective ambassadors for clarifications. The Maldives, a tiny nation in the Indian Ocean, has long been of interest to both India and China, with both nations vying for greater influence in the region.
