Maldives receives free military aid from China amid tensions with India
PTC News Desk: China and the Maldives have inked a defence cooperation agreement aimed at bolstering bilateral relations through the provision of free military assistance. This agreement comes on the heels of President Mohamed Muizzu's recent call for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the Maldives, signaling a shift in geopolitical dynamics in the region.
The Defence Minister of the Maldives, Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon, held discussions with Major General Zhang Baoqun, Deputy Director of the Office for International Military Cooperation of China, to discuss enhancing defence cooperation between the two nations. Following their meeting, an agreement was signed for China to provide military assistance gratis to the Maldives, although specific details of this arrangement were not disclosed.
In addition to military assistance, China has also gifted 12 eco-friendly ambulances to the Maldives. Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives, Wang Lixin, presented these ambulances in a ceremony held at the Ministry of Health, underscoring China's commitment to supporting the Maldives in various capacities.
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The visit of the Chinese military delegation comes amidst concerns raised by India over Chinese research vessels operating in the Indian Ocean Region. While Sri Lanka recently denied entry to a Chinese research ship, the Maldives permitted the Xiang Yang Hong 03, a hi-tech Chinese research vessel, to make a port call. China has defended its scientific research activities in the region, asserting that they are for peaceful purposes and contribute to global understanding of oceanic phenomena.
Meanwhile, India has begun the process of replacing its military personnel in the Maldives, with the first civilian team of technical experts arriving in the country to operate advanced light helicopters. President Muizzu has set a deadline of March 10 for the withdrawal of the first group of Indian military personnel from the Maldives, highlighting the evolving geopolitical landscape in the region.
The Maldives' proximity to India and its strategic location in the Indian Ocean Region have long been of interest to regional powers. While the ties between India and the Maldives have historically been strong, recent developments indicate a shift in the Maldives' foreign policy orientation towards China, prompting a reassessment of bilateral agreements between the two countries.
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(Inputs from agencies)