China fully backs Maldives’ sovereignty, says President Muizzu in face of row with India
Beijing: In the face of growing diplomatic tension with India, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu has praised his country’s strategic relationship with China, saying the two countries respected each other and Beijing fully supported the Indian Ocean island’s sovereignty.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Muizzu’s comments came amid an unease in the Maldives’ bilateral ties with India after he took office in November last year.
Muizzu, who returned to the Maldives on Saturday after a high-profile state visit to Beijing at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, noted that China had provided assistance to the development of the Maldives since establishing diplomatic relations in 1972.
During his recently concluded visit to China, Muizzu, regarded as a pro-China leader, sought to align Maldives with Beijing and both countries elevated their ties to a strategic partnership. He also said China’s Belt and Road Initiative had taken bilateral relations to a new level.
China is not a country that would interfere with the internal affairs of the Maldives, which is why the two countries have a strong relationship, Muizzu was quoted as saying in an interview with China’s state-run CGTN channel. He said the Maldives and China respected each other, and China fully supported Maldives’ sovereignty.
The President expressed his belief that the China-Maldives relations would continue to grow stronger in the future. He also said his Chinese counterpart put the interest of citizens first and that China’s economy had reached new heights under his leadership. He added President Xi has assured him that the Chinese government would help the Maldives achieve its goals.
President Muizzu said his vision involved strengthening the economy of the Maldives and bringing progress in accordance with the expectations of the people.
It is worth mentioning here that owing to Hindutva-driven policies of the present-day India under Narendra Modi, the country is fast losing its friends in the region with Maldives being the latest one.
