Maldives signs military aid pact with China

By Necva Tastan and Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – The Maldives has signed a military assistance pact with China as President Mohamed Muizzu reiterated his position that there will be no Indian military presence in his country not "even in civilian attire."

According to the Defense Ministry of the island nation, Defense Chief Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon and Chinese official for Military Cooperation Maj. Gen. Zhang Baoqun signed an “agreement on China's provision of military assistance gratis” to the Maldives, “fostering stronger bilateral ties.”

The agreement appears to have been signed in the capital Male on Monday, according to the ministry’s social media handle X.

China’s top diplomat in Male Ambassador Wang Lixin is also seen in the pictures shared by the ministry.

Ahead of the signing ceremony, Maumoon and Zhang discussed “enhancing defense cooperation” between the Maldives and China, the ministry said.

Meanwhile, Muizzu has affirmed that “no Indian military personnel, not even those in civilian clothing, would be present inside his country after May 10.”

His statement comes after the Indian civilian team's arrival ahead of the agreed military withdrawal deadline which was earlier set as March 15.

The Maldives asked India in January to withdraw its 88 troops from the island nation.

Meanwhile, China’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said Beijing was “committed to building a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with the Maldives,” Beijing-based daily Global Times reported.

“Normal cooperation between China and Maldives does not target…, nor is it influenced by any third party,” Mao said about the Chinese military aid to Maldives.