Maldives strengthens ties with China through new military pact
In a significant move, Maldives announced a new agreement for military assistance from China, indicating a clear shift towards closer relations with Beijing. This development comes after the election of President Mohamed Muizzu, signaling a notable pro-China stance by the Indian Ocean nation.
Maldives announced on Tuesday that China will be offering "military assistance," showing a clear shift towards closer ties with China since President Mohamed Muizzu took office last year.
The Maldivian Defense Ministry revealed that they have signed an agreement with Beijing on Monday for military assistance. This deal aims to strengthen the relationship between the two countries, as shared on the social media platform X.
The ministry did not disclose the specifics of the assistance, but mentioned that the deal was provided free of charge.
This decision is a result of President Muizzu's efforts to strengthen ties with China since assuming office in November. This comes after his election campaign, which aimed to remove Indian troops from Maldivian territory and reclaim national sovereignty.
Muizzu, in January, set a deadline of March 15 for the complete withdrawal of Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives, as stated by the president's office. Negotiations later agreed that troops would leave in stages, with the first group withdrawing before March 10 and the remaining troops leaving before May 10.
According to Reuters, there are currently 77 Indian soldiers and 12 medical personnel from the Indian armed forces in the Maldives. Additionally, India has provided the Maldives with two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft, primarily used for marine surveillance, search and rescue operations, and medical evacuations.
Maldives’ foreign policy has taken a new direction with the recent deal made with China, moving away from the previous pro-India stance of Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's predecessor, Muizzu.
Internationally, the small South Asian nation is known for its beautiful tourist attractions, such as white sand beaches and turquoise lagoons.
The Maldives is made up of almost 1,200 coral islands, home to less than half a million people. These islands are located in a crucial area of the Indian Ocean, with important waters and shipping routes passing through.
India has long been a close partner to the Maldives, thanks to their shared history and strong economic connections. New Delhi has traditionally considered the region as part of its sphere of influence.
Narendra Modi promotes India's Lakshadweep Islands on his X account.
Narendra Modi promotes India's Lakshadweep Islands on his X account.
Narendra Modi/X (Twitter)
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Calls for an Indian boycott of Maldives tourism were triggered by Modi's beach photos. Maldives has been caught in a power struggle between India and China for a while now.
China has been making a bigger impact in Maldives, especially with projects like the $200 million China-Maldives Friendship Bridge.
Experts have mentioned to CNN before that China's involvement in Maldives could impact India's security, as the island chain is close to India's western coast.
In January, Muizzu went to Beijing for an official visit. During the visit, the two countries signed 20 agreements covering areas such as infrastructure, trade, economy, green development, grants, and other development projects.
As part of the agreements, approximately $127 million will be provided for the development of roads in the capital city of Male. Additionally, plans include the construction of 30,000 social housing units. This information was shared in a news release from the president’s office.
Muizzu praised China as one of Maldives' closest allies and development partners during the trip.
On Tuesday, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that Beijing is dedicated to collaborating with Maldives to establish a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.
China and the Maldives have a regular partnership that is not directed towards any other country and will not be affected by any external parties, according to a statement.
In a speech on February 5, Muizzu, the President, emphasized the importance of enhancing the Maldives' military strength. He mentioned that the defense force is close to attaining full-time monitoring abilities over the nation's 900,000 square kilometer Exclusive Economic Zone.
The government will also not renew an agreement that enables foreign countries to measure and map the oceans and coasts of Maldives, he said.
CNN’s Nectar Gan contributed reporting.
Editor's P/S:
The Maldives' shift towards closer ties with China, as evidenced by the recent military assistance agreement, highlights the growing geopolitical influence of China in the Indian Ocean region. This move represents a departure from the Maldives' traditional pro-India stance, indicating a potential power struggle between India and China for influence in the area. The implications of this shift could have significant consequences for the security and stability of the region.
The Maldives' decision to accept military assistance from China should be viewed in the context of its strategic location in the Indian Ocean. The island nation lies on important shipping routes and is close to India's western coast. China's involvement in the Maldives, through infrastructure projects and now military assistance, could impact India's security interests and raise concerns about China's intentions in the region. It remains to be seen how India will respond to this development and whether it will lead to increased tensions between the two countries.
