Maldives asks India not to worry about China

 Maldives on Sunday assured India not to worry about Chinese presence in the island-nation because the ties between the two maritime neighbours have “sufficient depth.”

“India-Maldives ties have sufficient depth. We discuss with India almost all issues, including the political situation,” Maldivian Foreign Minister Duniya Maumoon said here on Sunday.

Maumoon, daughter of former Maldivian president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to discuss bilateral issues.

She also pointed out that ties with India would not be shaken by Chinese investors.
“China's economic presence is felt in almost every corner of the world; from Bombay to London, and New York to Sydney. The Maldives is a country that is open for business, particularly in the infrastructure sector. There are Chinese investors in the Maldives, who have brought capital with them to invest in large projects. That should not worry India. Maldives’ relation with India has sufficient depth and will not be shaken by the presence of Chinese investors in the Maldives,” she said in an interview to a news agency.

Though Maldives is geographically closer to India and remains within India's strategic influence, the island-nation appears to increasingly strengthen its relationship with China.

Chinese investments in the Maldives have increased over the years, ranging from housing to infrastructure projects, such as roads and airports.

Asked about some of the incidents that led to a friction between the two countries, the Maldivian foreign minister said as close neighbours there will always be points that require clarifications from each other, but asserted that the relationship with India remained robust and strong.

On the former president Mohamed Nasheed’s arrest and subsequent imprisonment for 13 years under terror charges, the minister said it was a test case to tell everyone that no one is above the law.

“There have been criticisms from some countries, and I have to say it also appears that such criticisms have not considered the full circumstances of the case,” she said.