Unlike China, India's projects in the Maldives are not debt traps: Nasheed

Compared to China, India's projects in the Maldives are not debt traps, says Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed.

While addressing the 6th India Ideas Conclave 2020 held in Gujarat on Friday evening, Nasheed highlighted that the neighbouring country has risen to the status of an economic superpower. Nevertheless, India doesn't pose a threat to the Maldives nor any of its neighbours, said Nasheed, adding that India has always treated the Maldives with respect and as equals despite the small size of the island nation.

Further, Nasheed referred to the change in administration and stated that things are very different in the Maldives with the re-establishment of a democratic government. Moreover, Nasheed recognised the Indian government's assistance, stating that Indian projects are carried out in a transparent manner and have never resulted in a debt trap.

Nasheed - who has actively promoted bilateral ties with India - went onto highlight China's rising superpower status and implied that the Southeastern Asian nation treats their fellow neighbours in the Indian Ocean region very poorly in comparison to India.

Responding to Nasheed's comments, Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives, Zhang Lizhong fired back via Twitter on Saturday.

The Ambassador stated that bilateral ties with another country does not need to be developed at the expense of another development partner.

Noting that the Chinese government follows the "Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence" in matters of foreign relations, the ambassador reiterated China's commitment to providing assistance to the Maldives.

Nasheed and the Chinese ambassador have had several heated exchanges on social media due to the former president's consistent public criticism of China and especially over his "debt trap" comments regarding projects carried out by the Southeastern Asian nation.