‘Be More Open-Minded’: As India-Maldives Row Escalates, China Lectures India, Eyes 'Regional Superiority'

‘delhi should be more open-minded’: as india-maldives row escalates, china lectures india, eyes ‘regional superiority’

Beijing: Amid the India-Maldives Row, China is looking to strengthen its ties with the island nation. In an editorial published by Global Times, China has lectured India on its strained relations and urged New Delhi to ‘be more open-minded’, especially amid the row with Maldives.

In an editorial piece, published by state-backed Global Times, Chinese experts have stated that India’s mentality of being the “regional boss has caused a strain in its relations with regional countries in South Asia”.

Chinese experts and analysts further stated that India appears to “lack confidence” in its politicians and should adopt a more “open-minded approach” and not “shift the blame on China”.

“India’s strained relations with certain countries in South Asia can be attributed to its perception of being the regional boss. Instead of shifting blame to China, India should take a moment to reflect on its policies toward its neighbours and abandon the zero-sum mentality,” the Global Times reports citing analysts.

In the editorial, China has also backed Muizzu and Maldives. The report added that China has always treated Maldives as an equal partner and respects its sovereignty and has “never asked Male to reject New Delhi because of the conflicts between China and India, nor does it view cooperation between the Maldives and India as unfriendly or a threat,”

India-Maldives Row Amid Muizzu’s China Visit

The row with India also comes during President Mohamed Muizzu’s visit to China. Upon the invitation of Xi Jinping, President and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed will be in China till January 12, 2024.

A day before President Mohamed Muizzu was scheduled to leave for his state visit to China, three ministers from his cabinet ‘lashed out’ at Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for promoting Lakshadweep as a tourism destination for Indians.

In the now-deleted posts on social media platform X, the ministers mocked PM Modi and made derogatory comments regarding his stance to promote the Indian archipelago as a tourist destination.

Muizzu also suspended the three ministers – Malsha Shareef, Mariyam Shiuna and Abdulla Mahzoom Majid from his cabinet and the Maldivian government added that it will be “distancing” itself from its remarks.

However, the India-Maldives row also highlights the pre-existing problems between the two nations – the presence of Indian troops.

Since his campaign days, Muizzu adopted an ‘India-Out’ stance and promised to make India withdraw its troops if elected. After winning the elections in September 2023, the Maldives President began to work towards the removal of the 77 Indian troops on the island nation, that have been sent as part of the many agreements signed with the island nation.

Despite the tensions from the troop deployment, the India-Maldives row escalated to new heights after the derogatory remarks against PM Modi. Both countries have also summoned their respective envoys, marking an escalation.

During Muizzu’s China visit, Male and Beijing are expected to sign a series of agreements related to trade, infrastructure and tourism.