Male, January 10: Both Beijing and New Delhi are wooing Maldives because of its strategic importance and Maldives is hoping to reap benefits by cultivating the two geopolitical rivals. 

Close on the heels of visits to India by the Maldivian Foreign and Defence Ministers to India, the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi flew down to Male to meet the Maldivian President Dr.Mohmed Muizzu on Friday.    

Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, His Excellency Wang Yi, paid a courtesy call on His Excellency President Dr Mohamed Muizzu this evening at the President’s Office.

During the meeting, President Dr Muizzu extended a warm welcome to Minister Wang Yi and thanked the Minister for visiting the Maldives. The President expressed gratitude for the close friendship between the Maldives and China and the generous support from China towards the Maldives’ development goals over the years. The President reflected on his state visit to China in January last year as a highly fruitful engagement that elevated bilateral cooperation between the two countries to new heights.

President Dr Muizzu emphasised the importance of expediting key infrastructure development projects under the concluded agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) between the two countries. He 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.

In response, Minister Wang Yi conveyed appreciation to President Dr Muizzu for his commitment to strengthen the bilateral cooperation between the two countries, adding that the President is a good friend and trustworthy partner of China. Minister Wang commended President Dr Muizzu’s development vision for the Maldives and affirmed China’s continued support for the country’s sustainable development. He assured the Chinese Government’s support to facilitate the acceleration of the implementation of development projects in the pipeline. He further acknowledged Maldives’ commitment to the One-China Principle and highlighted the cooperation between the two countries as a testament to how nations, regardless of size, can collaborate effectively for mutual progress and prosperity.

The meeting concluded with both leaders expressing their mutual commitment to carry forward the China-Maldives Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership that was agreed between the two countries during President Dr Muizzu’s state visit to China and to further strengthen cooperation on multilateral platforms, towards a shared future.

Khaleel Visits Delhi

A week earlier, Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel and India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar led their respective delegations during the bilateral talks held in New Delhi, India, on Friday, 3 January 2025

The talks were part of continued diplomatic efforts to strengthen ties between the two nations. During Friday’s discussions, Jaishankar highlighted key developments, including the signing of a framework to facilitate the use of local currencies for cross-border transactions and growing collaboration across various sectors. He welcomed Khaleel as the first diplomatic visitor of the year, expressing his satisfaction with the positive progress in the bilateral relationship.

Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s commitment to the Maldives, calling it a “concrete expression” of India’s Neighbourhood First policy.

Additionally, Khaleel and Jaishankar reviewed regional security cooperation and explored opportunities for collaboration on climate resilience and sustainable development. They also signed an agreement on implementing the next phase of High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDP) in the Maldives.

Relations between the Maldives and India hit an all-time low at the beginning of last year. However, ties gradually improved, with further progress made during Jaishankar’s official visit to the Maldives and President Mohamed Muizzu’s official visit to India in October. During Muizzu’s visit, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to a “Comprehensive Economic & Maritime Security Partnership.”

The visit comes just days after The Washington Post published an investigative report linking the Indian intelligence agency to an alleged opposition plot to overthrow the Muizzu administration in its early days.

Maumoon in Delhi

Two days ago, Maldives and India have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral defence cooperation, with Defence Minister Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon receiving assurances from his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh of continued support to enhance the Maldives’ defence capabilities.

During a meeting in New Delhi on Wednesday, Singh expressed India’s readiness to assist the Maldives by providing defence platforms, equipment, and training to bolster the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF). This aligns with India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision, aimed at regional security and cooperation.

The meeting came against the backdrop of strained relations following President Mohamed Muizzu’s assumption of office in November 2023. Immediately after taking office, the Muizzu administration requested the withdrawal of over 85 Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives. The withdrawal was completed eight months ago, with civilian personnel replacing the Indian military staff.

During Wednesday’s meeting, India also provided defence equipment worth over US$4 million to the Maldives, following a request from the Maldivian government. The consignment, which included utility vehicles, berthing materials, and other essential supplies, aimed at enhancing the operational capacity of the Maldives’ defence forces. Maumoon expressed appreciation for India’s longstanding role as the ‘First Responder,’ particularly in areas like infrastructure development and training of Maldivian defence personnel.

Both sides reviewed their Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership, reaffirming their shared commitment to regional security and stability. Singh emphasised the cultural, historical, and ethnic ties between the two nations, noting the Maldives’ strategic importance under India’s Neighbourhood First policy.

“Held fruitful talks with Maldives Defence Minister Mr Mohammed Ghassan Maumoon in New Delhi. Several issues pertaining to deepening defence cooperation were discussed which would also help in enhancing the capability of Maldives National Defence Force. Today’s discussions will add new vigour to India-Maldives relations,” Singh wrote on X.

Maumoon’s visit to India also included planned visits to Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in Mumbai and the Goa Shipyard, underscoring continued high-level engagements between the two nations. This visit follows a meeting between Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel and Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar earlier this month, where both sides pledged to deepen bilateral ties.

Singh reiterated that India would continue supporting the Maldives’ defence capacity-building efforts through joint exercises, training programmes, and infrastructure support, aiming for mutual benefit and regional security.

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