Amidst India’s concerns over increasing Chinese presence there, the Maldives on Sunday said China’s economic presence is felt in almost every corner of the world but asserted that it should not “worry” India, with whom its ties will not be “shaken” by Chinese investors.
On a visit here during which she held talks with her Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj, Maldivian Foreign Minister Duniya Maumoon said that India-Maldives ties have “sufficient depth” and that her country discusses with India almost all issues, including the political situation.
“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.
“The Maldives’ relations with India has sufficient depth and will not be shaken by the presence of Chinese investors in the Maldives,” Ms. Maumoon told PTI in an interview.
On whether the bitterness which India and the Maldives have witnessed in their ties in recent past has gone, the Foreign Minister, who is daughter of former Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, said as close neighbours, and members of SAARC, there will always be points that require clarifications from each other and asserted that their relationship was “robust and strong“.
“We discuss with India almost all the issues, including the political situation in the Maldives. And unlike the West, India understands that democracy consolidating is a process that is full of challenges. The challenges of developing institutions.....,” she said and added that the Maldives and India enjoy a special relationship.
