New Delhi: Maldives Friday called on China to expedite key infrastructure development projects for which the two countries have signed agreements while seeking aid from Beijing to economically diversify, especially in agriculture and fisheries, at a meeting between Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
“He [President Muizzu] underscored the need to prioritise social housing and road development projects that are among the most pressing needs of the Maldivian people. Furthermore, the president highlighted his administration’s focus on economic diversification, particularly in the agriculture and fisheries sectors, and sought China’s support in advancing these critical areas,” said a statement by Muizzu’s office.
The Maldives hosted Wang after Malé’s foreign minister and defence minister made back-to-back visits to India earlier this month. The ministerial visits indicated the thawing of ties between New Delhi and Malé, following a diplomatic chill since the first half of 2024.
“China will, as always, support the Maldives in safeguarding its national independence and sovereignty and actively exploring a development path that suits its national conditions. The current international situation is turbulent and intertwined. China is the most important stabilising force in a turbulent world,” said the Chinese readout of the meeting between Muizzu and Wang.
One of Muizzu’s earliest state visits was to China in January 2024, when the two countries signed a number of memoranda of understanding (MoUs). During that visit, the two countries upgraded their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
India and China have in recent years had varied successes in its ties with Maldives. From 2013 till 2018, the Maldivian administration under President Abdulla Yameen, had sought and received large amounts of aid for domestic infrastructure projects from China, while taking a strong stance against India.
From 2018 till 2023, President Ibrahim Solih, focused on an “India-first” foreign policy for the Maldives. Muizzu, first elected on an “India Out” platform has since seen his administration refer to New Delhi as the “first responder” for the island archipelago.
The Beijing visit had come nearly 10 months before Muizzu’s state visit to New Delhi in October 2024. India-Maldives ties were hit in January 2024 when three Maldivian deputy ministers made racist jibes at New Delhi and Indians.
Moreover, Malé spent the first part of 2024 negotiating the removal of unarmed Indian military personnel from Maldives, eventually succeeding in replacing them with a technical team. However, India-Maldives ties are improving, and New Delhi announced two rollovers of at least $50 million each in loans starting May last year.
The Maldivian economy has been struggling in the last year, especially with foreign exchange reserves. It has been consistently downgraded by American ratings agencies such as Moody’s and Fitch through the year. In October, one of the important outcomes from Muizzu’s visit to India was the announcement of roughly $750 million in currency swap lines by New Delhi for Malé.
India had been the largest source of tourists to Maldives following the pandemic, but in 2024, Chinese tourists took the top spot.
“I am very pleased that China has become the largest source of tourists for the Maldives. Maldives is willing to always be China’s closest partner, continuously consolidate traditional friendship, strengthen cooperation in various fields, and promote greater development of bilateral relations,” said the Chinese readout of the meeting.
(Edited by Madhurita Goswami)
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