This is the first time the Maldives has signed a military cooperation agreement of this level with China.
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The Maldives will receive free “non-lethal” military equipment and training from the Chinese military under a newly signed agreement with Beijing, President Mohamed Muizum said, stressing that this would further strengthen the Indian Ocean island nation’s independence and autonomy.
Mu Yizu also met respectively with Major General Zhang Baoqun, Deputy Director of the China International Military Cooperation Office, and Ren Shengjun, President of the Export-Import Bank of China.
Earlier on Monday, the Maldives Ministry of Defense announced that Defense Minister Mohamed Ghassan Moumoon and Major General Zhang signed a military assistance agreement. However, it did not reveal any other details.
This is the first time the Maldives has signed a military cooperation agreement of this level with China. Previously, China was known for its aid to Maldives’ urban and economic development, news portal Sun reported. mv said.
President Muizu, who is widely seen as a pro-China leader, spoke to residents of Midu in Niedu Atoll on Tuesday evening as part of his ongoing tour of the atoll, where he shared details in which he said China and Maldives has maintained military cooperation The only new development in the agreement is that the Maldives will receive assistance to strengthen its military capabilities.
“Access to different forms of training required by the Maldivian army and free access to various non-lethal military equipment is the purpose of this agreement. This will enhance the technical capabilities of the defense forces,” the news Portal Edition.mv quoted the president as saying.
“Then we will be able to further strengthen our defense capabilities. These things are being done so that we can be self-reliant so that we can gain autonomy and independence,” Muizou added.
Sun.mv further quoted the president as saying that non-lethal weapons would include tear gas, pepper spray and similar weapons.
Meanwhile, a release from the President’s Office said Ren Shengjun paid a courtesy call on Muizu on Tuesday morning.
Muizou highlighted the close relationship between China and the Maldives, noting that the Maldives has received strong support from the Export-Import Bank of China, adding: “In addition, the President highlighted several of China’s key development initiatives for the Maldives, including the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge and the social housing project.” During the meeting, the President of the Export-Import Bank of China emphasized the historical origins, cooperative relations and mutual respect between China and the Maldives, and recognized the Maldives’ early participation in the “One Belt, One Road” initiative.
Ren confirmed the Export-Import Bank of China’s willingness to strengthen active cooperation with the Maldives, the statement said, adding that Muizou and Ren Shengjun made new commitments to future cooperation at the end of the meeting.
The Office of the President said in a separate statement that Major General Zhang Baoqun paid a courtesy call on President Muizu at the Office of the President on Tuesday evening.
The President expressed his gratitude to the Government of the Republic of China for its long-term support and assistance to the Maldives. President Muizu and Major General Zhang Baoqun had a comprehensive discussion on the strategic partnership and strengthening defense cooperation between the Republic of Maldives and China,” the statement said.
The courtesy visit achieved positive results, with President Muizu and Major General Zhang expressing their enthusiasm for future cooperation and partnership.
Military ties between the Maldives and China have been strengthened after President Muizu confirmed that no Indian military personnel, even plainclothes personnel, would be present in the Maldives after May 10.
Muizou’s statement came less than a week after an Indian civilian team arrived in the Maldives to take charge of one of the island nation’s three aviation platforms, well ahead of the March 10 deadline agreed by the two countries to withdraw Indian military personnel.
Shortly after being sworn in as the president of the Maldives on November 17, Muizul, who is widely seen as a pro-China leader, formally asked India to withdraw 88 military personnel from the Maldives by March 15, saying that the Maldivian people had given him “strong authority”. “Authorized” to make this request to New Delhi.
Muizou, 45, defeated the India-friendly incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in a presidential runoff last September. Muizu also visited Beijing in January and met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders, his first state visit to a foreign country. Previously, the newly elected president of the Maldives chose New Delhi for his first overseas trip.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
