Mint Explainer: What’s behind Maldives’ new defence pact with China
China and the Maldives have signed an agreement paving the way for greater Chinese military assistance to Male. While the details of the agreement are remain unclear, The agreement, details of which are still unclear, follow a string of decisions in recent months by president Mohamed Muizzu’s government to reduce his country’s reliance on India. Mint takes a look.
On Tuesday, China and the Maldives announced that a defence agreement has been signed between the two countries, witnessed by senior officials from both the sides. “Minister of Defence @mgmaumoon and Major General Zhang Baoqun, Deputy Director of the Office for International Military Cooperation of the People's Republic of China, signed an agreement on China's provision of military assistance gratis to the Republic of Maldives, fostering stronger bilateral ties," the Maldivian defence ministry said in a post on social media site X. Maldivian president Muizzu was quoted as saying that defence equipment will be provided to the Maldives by China free of cost.
This, he explained, would help boost the country’s autonomy. Since assuming office last year, president Muizzu has been keen on strengthening ties with China. A pivotal moment came in January when he met with president Xi Jinping in Beijing, culminating in the signing of several bilateral agreements spanning agriculture, infrastructure, and development.
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