Beijing: China has pledged to protect the Maldives’ “sovereignty” and agreed to upgrade ties with the strategic Indian Ocean archipelago after signing key infrastructure deals.

       With Beijing and Delhi tussling for influence, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu was elected in September after pledging to cultivate “strong ties” with China and eject Indian troops.

       Muizzu embarked this week on his first state visit to China – the Maldives’ largest external creditor – and met President Xi Jinping on Wednesday, Beijing’s state media reported, announcing the “elevation of bilateral ties”.

       Muizzu thanked Xi for “China’s significant role in the Maldives’ economic success” and Beijing’s role in “infrastructure development of the Maldives”, according to a readout from his office.

       Muizzu’s party was an eager recipient of funds from China’s Belt and Road infrastructure programme, a central pillar of Xi’s bid to expand China’s influence overseas.His mentor, former president Abdulla Yameen, borrowed heavily from Beijing for construction projects and spurned India.That left it owing 42% of its total external debts of more than US$3bil to Beijing in 2021, according to the World Bank, citing the Maldives’ finance ministry. — Reuters