Prime minister Narendra Modi has returned from a two-day visit to Maldives. This visit was special because he was invited as the chief guest in the Independence Day celebrations of Maldives. This was the first high-level visit by a foreign leader after President Mohammed Muizzu came to power. During this visit, india announced a large credit line of $565 million (about Rs 4,800 crore) for maldives, which will be used in projects related to hospitals, schools, housing and infrastructure.
Along with this, an agreement was also reached to start talks on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between india and Maldives. maldives President Muizzu described PM Modi's visit as historic and called india the most trusted partner and 'first responder'.
Muizzu came to power by giving the slogan of 'India Out'
Muizzu came to power by giving the slogan of india Out, after which india had to call back its army and now he himself wants that there should be a free trade deal with india and indians should go there as tourists like before so that the economy of maldives remains on track.
China gets a shock, media is angry
The growing closeness between india and maldives has increased China's concern. China's official mouthpiece Global Times has reacted sharply to the indian media coverage of this visit. The report said that india is showing this as a weakening of China's influence in Maldives.
Qian Feng, an expert from Beijing-based Tsinghua University, described the indian media's viewpoint as 'old thinking' and said that it shows a 'zero-sum game' mentality.
China is still making this claim
China also reminded that President Muizzu visited beijing in january and then he described china as the closest friend of Maldives. Muizzu had then said that maldives supports China's efforts for global peace and justice. However, current developments show that Muizzu's foreign policy is now moving towards balance and relations with india are being given priority again.
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