Maldivian officials on Tuesday said the nation is looking forward to engaging with India to extend existing cooperation on all matters related to bilateral ties as well as on other pending matters. Maldivian officials familiar with the developments told CNN-News18 that they are awaiting the dates for the visit of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu to New Delhi. They said Muizzu’s visit was discussed during his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the COP28 United Nations Climate Summit in UAE last year.
Indian officials familiar with the developments told CNN-News18 that the Maldivian President is welcome to India whenever he visits.
Maldives President Muizzu is currently visiting China.
Relations between the island-nation and India have entered a strained phase after Maldivian ministers insulted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and used racially derogatory comments to insult Indians.
The Maldivian government has suspended those ministers and distanced itself from those comments.
Muizzu departed tradition and visited Turkey, the UAE, and China after assuming presidency after the November elections. During his electoral campaign he said he will take Maldives-China cooperation to new levels if voted to power.
His mentor is Abdulla Yameen, the creator of ‘India Out’ campaign and former president who was jailed for corruption, under whom he served as construction minister. Muizzu, the former mayor of Male, appeared to back the ‘India Out’ campaign during his electoral campaign as well.
During his visit in China, Muizzu expressed his interest in becoming part of the China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). He is meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit with whom he is expected to discuss infrastructure development projects in Maldives led by China.
He also highlighted his vision for the expansion of the central airport and commercial port in Maldives and signalled that his government would explore partnerships under the framework of BRI.
China also commented on the ongoing row between India and Maldives and said in an editorial published in a state-run newspaper that it did not ask the island nation to ‘reject’ India and is aware of the historical ties between both countries.
Comments
0 comment