Beijing: China will further invest in Maldives as President Xi Jinping and his Maldivian counterpart Mohamed Muizzu have agreed on Wednesday to a ‘comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership’, according to Reuters.
Mohamed Muizzu’s first visit to Beijing since becoming the president on 17 November 2023 saw the nation gravitating towards China, distancing itself from India.
Muizzu came to power whipping up his ‘India Out’ campaign, terming New Delhi as a threat to Maldives sovereignty, according to the report.
During the meeting, Xi Jinping called Muizzu ‘an old friend’ signaling at re-establishing China’s clout on the island nation.
It is reported Xi as telling Muizzu that ‘China and the Maldives' relations are facing a historic opportunity to carry forward the past and forge ahead into the future.’
Since taking office, Muizzu administration has asked Indian military personnel based on the island to leave.
The change of policy also marks Maldives, despite being heavily indebted to China, seeking to get China’s investment.
Obviously, China will see it an opportunity to have a foothold in the India’s neighourhood as it has done in the case of Sri Lanka.
A statement from the presidential office following the meeting said both countries have signed ‘20 key agreements’.
‘During the talks, President Dr Muizzu expressed gratitude for China's significant role in the Maldives' economic success... and infrastructure development,’ the statement added.
Beijing has emerged as the biggest bilateral creditor for Maldives with the island now owing China $1.37 billion, or around 20% of its public debt, the report said citing World Bank data.
China is ahead of both Saudi Arabia and India in financial assistance to Maldives, which ‘owes $124 million and $123 million’ to them respectively.