TROUBLE IN PARADISE

In

what is being seen as a veiled attack by China on the Maldives crisis, India hoped late on Friday evening that “all countries could play a constructive role in Maldives, instead of the opposite”.

The veiled criticism is being seen in the context of a remark made in Beijing by the Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang who was quoted by news agencies saying, “The international community should respect the will of the Maldives and play a constructive role in the stability and development of Maldives instead of doing the opposite.” China’s remark was apparently made in context of reports about Indian troops being kept on standby and was seen as proof that Beijing is backing the Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen whose recent actions have upset New Delhi.

According to reports from Beijing on February 16, visiting Maldivian economic development minister Mohamed Saeed told Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi, “The Maldives has the ability to protect the security of the Chinese personnel and the institutions.” Some contradictory media reports surfaced, claiming that Maldives has sought support from China to maintain security for Chinese investments.

On Friday evening, “in response to a query on media reports that Maldives has sought support from China the ministry of external affairs in New Delhi said, “We note that China has said that Maldives government has the ability to protect the security of Chinese personnel in Maldives.”