The issue of diplomatic tension between India and Maldives has gone far. A kind of geopolitical game is going on in the region now.
Withdrawal of Indian troops from the island state, and the establishment of a Indian naval base near it - all in all, when the situation is hot; reports emerged that China will provide military assistance to Maldives.
Maldives has signed a defense cooperation agreement with China. As a result, the island nation will receive free military aid from China. NDTV reported this on Monday (March 4) quoting news agency PTI.
China signed a defense cooperation agreement with Maldives on Monday to provide free military assistance to build "stronger" bilateral ties, report said.
The agreement was signed just days after Maldivian President Mohamed Muijju set a deadline for the withdrawal of the first batch of Indian troops from his country.
According to NDTV, Maldivian Defense Minister Mohammad Ghassan Mamoon met with Major General Zhang Baokun, Deputy Director of China's International Military Cooperation Office, to discuss increasing defence cooperation between the two countries.
According to the Ministry of Defense of Maldives, Mamoon and Major General Baokun signed an agreement on China's military assistance to the Maldives. This will further advance the strong bilateral relations of both the countries.
However, no details were given about the defence cooperation agreement signed between China and Maldives.
Meanwhile, India is going to set up a new naval base near the strategically important Maldives. The Indian Navy announced the establishment of the base ahead of the withdrawal of Indian troops deployed in the island nation.
According to a report in The Dawn, the Indian Navy said in a statement on Saturday (March 2) that it is strengthening its forces in the 'strategically important' islands near the Maldives.
Last year, Mohamed Muijju was elected President of Maldives through anti-India campaign. Relations between Male and New Delhi soon began to deteriorate. Muijju has already announced the withdrawal of all Indian troops deployed in his country as per the election promise.
India has been given a deadline of March 15 to withdraw 77 troops. These troops are stationed in the country to operate and maintain two helicopters and one Dornier aircraft given to the National Defense Force of Maldives.
Read more: India is building a naval base near China-friendly Maldives
