Chinese FM Wang Yi's surprise Maldives visit: Talks with President Muizzu
text_fields
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu on January 10, 2025.
Beijing/Male: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made an unannounced visit to the Maldives, where he met President Mohamed Muizzu to discuss bilateral relations and ongoing projects, amidst Male’s recent efforts to balance its ties with India and China.
Wang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party, stopped in Male on Friday while returning from an official tour, according to state media. This marked the first significant visit by a senior Chinese official to the Maldives since President Muizzu's visit to China in January last year, shortly after his election.
During their discussions, President Muizzu emphasised the urgency of expediting key infrastructure projects under agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed during his China visit. These include vital social housing and road development initiatives, which he described as critical for meeting the immediate needs of the Maldivian people. He also sought China's assistance in diversifying the Maldivian economy, particularly in agriculture and fisheries, and expressed satisfaction over the recent surge in Chinese tourists, now the largest group visiting the Maldives.
Wang praised Muizzu's vision for the Maldives’ development and reaffirmed China's commitment to supporting the nation's sustainable growth. He highlighted Muizzu’s earlier state visit to China as a landmark moment, during which President Xi Jinping and Muizzu elevated bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership, pledging to build a shared future.
In his early presidency, Muizzu leaned towards strengthening ties with China. However, his administration later sought to balance relations with India, especially after New Delhi replaced its air force personnel stationed in the Maldives with civilian operators for its helicopters and a Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft, following Muizzu’s campaign promise.
Tensions between India and the Maldives eased following Muizzu's October 2023 visit to New Delhi, where he held discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India subsequently increased its financial aid to the Maldives, helping the nation address a severe foreign exchange crisis.
Recent high-level visits further underscored this renewed cooperation. Maldives Foreign Minister Dr Abdulla Khaleel visited Delhi earlier this month to meet with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Dr Khaleel commended India’s emergency financial assistance and reaffirmed his government's commitment to the India-Maldives Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership.
On Wednesday, Maldivian Defence Minister Mohammed Ghassan Maumoon visited New Delhi to meet Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Their talks focused on enhancing the defence capabilities of the Indian Ocean archipelago. India pledged USD 4 million worth of military equipment to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) and expressed readiness to strengthen defence ties further.
Wang’s surprise visit highlights the Maldives’ pivotal role in regional geopolitics, as it navigates a strategic balance between its ties with India and China while focusing on domestic development and infrastructure priorities.
With PTI inputs