Breaking News LIVE: Maldives US envoy says China, US and India are all important partners
Breaking News LIVE: Maldives US envoy says China, US and India are all important partners
Maldives, which has recently caused concern in the U.S. and India by signing defence agreements with China, values its partnerships with all major powers in the Indo-Pacific.
According to Maldives’ Washington ambassador Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed, regional stability is crucial, and the country recognizes its strategic position in maintaining a "free, peaceful and stable Indian Ocean." This statement followed a visit to Washington by Maldives Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer. During this visit, Zameer met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who expressed Washington's desire for a deeper partnership with the Maldives.
This diplomatic engagement came two months after President Mohamed Muizzu’s party won a significant victory in parliamentary elections, shifting Maldives’ foreign policy towards China and away from India, a key U.S. ally against Beijing's regional influence. While Ghafoor did not disclose specifics of the defence agreements with China, he emphasized that these agreements should not cause concern for other nations.