NEW DELHI (AP) — India urged the pro-China Maldives on Thursday to ease tensions and improve their strained ties.
The foreign ministers of India and the Maldives met in New Delhi a day ahead of a deadline set by the Maldives’ new president. Mohamed Muizzuthat India is withdrawing dozens of its soldiers from the archipelago state.
Tensions between India and the Maldives have increased since the pro-China Muizzu came to power last year.
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar told his Maldives counterpart Moosa Zameer that India is a major donor of development assistance, including infrastructure projects, medical supplies and health facilities.
“It is in our common interest that we agree on how best to advance our relationship,” Jaishankar was quoted as saying in a statement by the Indian Foreign Ministry.
Zameer’s response was not immediately known.
Regional powers India and China are vying for influence in the Maldives, which has a strategic location in the Indian Ocean.
Muizzu’s election intensified their rivalry as he took a pro-China stance and advocated for the withdrawal of Indian troops stationed on an island in the Maldives.
The Press Trust of India news agency said India has so far withdrawn 51 of its soldiers from the Maldives in two batches.
At least 75 Indian military personnel were stationed in the Maldives. They operated two aircraft donated by India and helped rescue people stranded at sea or affected by disasters. Muizzu has taken steps to have civilians take over these activities.
Muizzu ran for president under the slogan “India out” and accused his predecessor of endangering national sovereignty by giving India too much influence.
After taking office, Muizzu visited China before India and said the small size of the Maldives was not a license for anyone to bully them.
On his return, he formulated plans to free his country from dependence on India for health facilities, education and medicines.
Last year, New Delhi began construction on the Indian-funded Greater Male Connectivity Project, considered the island nation’s largest infrastructure initiative, connecting a 6.7-kilometer (4.2-mile) bridge and causeway connecting the capital Male with connect the islands of Villingli, Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi.
India is also helping the Maldives build 4,000 houses and has extended a $100 million credit line to finance other infrastructure projects. The two countries have signed agreements to cooperate in cybersecurity, disaster management and forecasting capacity for fishing zones.
In 2013, the Maldives joined China’s Belt and Road Initiative to build ports and highways to expand trade – and China’s influence – in Asia, Africa and Europe.