Maldives’ state-run power company STELCO has signed a capacity development agreement with Pakistan.

While this was reported first by a Pakistan newspaper, the company has confirmed this to RaajjeMV, though no additional details have been revealed.

Mumbai-based Times of India reported that a four-member team from STELCO visited Pakistan last week and signed the agreement.

The agreement was signed with Pakistan’s Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA). The head of the institute Muzammil Hussain said that Pakistan is supportive of development in the Maldives.

“We, fortunately, have a pool of knowledge, expertise and training facilities with us and STELCO can benefit from it. WAPDA is ready to fully support the Maldives in development of its infrastructure in power sector,” Hussain is quoted as having said by newspaper Pakistan Today.

Analysts have said that the agreement is a deliberate snub to India, given the deteriorating relations between the two neighbours, especially with Maldives’ power sector projects being handled mostly by companies from China, India’s rival in the Indian ocean.