Indian State Minister raises concern over Maldives-China relations
State Minister had raised some concern over the potential ramifications of Maldives’ ties with China
State Minister M.J Akbar at the Velana International Airport
Indian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mobashar Jawed ‘M.J’ Akbar, has concluded his official visit to the Maldives and left to India on Thursday.
State Minister Akbar had arrived in the Maldives on the 21st of February, and called on President Abdulla Yameen and Foreign Minister Mohamed Asim.
The senior diplomat’s visit comes at a time when speculations of property sales to Saudi Arabia, and some to China as part of the retribution for the ongoing China-Maldives Friendship Bridge, linking Malé to its suburban counterpart, Hulhumalé.
RaajjeMV understands that he had raised some concern over the potential ramifications of Maldives’ ties with China, which both nations had discussed during State Minister Akbar’s visit.
President Abdulla Yameen’s ratification of the bill on foreign ownership of land in the country in 2015, had caused concern from opposition in the Maldives, with Indian officials raising concern that China might use the bill to extend its military influence in the Indian Ocean. The government had reportedly assured India otherwise.
