The Maldives government's recent decision to allow a Chinese ship to dock at their port has sparked concerns from the two main opposition parties, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and the Democrats. They cautioned against what they perceive as an "anti-India stance," warning that it could impede the island nation's development. This move comes amid strained relations between India and the Maldives and the Maldives' growing closeness to China, indicating a potential significant shift in the geopolitical and military dynamics of the Indian Ocean Region.

President Mohamed Muizzu, who won the 2023 elections, campaigned on an anti-India platform, marking a departure from his predecessors' pro-India policies. The opposition parties, jointly holding 55 seats in the 87-member house, emphasized the importance of maintaining relations with all development partners, especially India, whom they referred to as the "most long-standing ally."

Highlighting the significance of stability and security in the Indian Ocean, the opposition parties stressed the need for the Maldivian government to collaborate with all traditional development partners, as it has done historically.

The remarks were delivered during a joint news conference by MDP's chairperson Fayyaz Ismail, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Ahmed Saleem, Democrats chief MP Hassan Latheef, and Parliamentary Group Leader Ali Azim.

The recent diplomatic tensions between India and the Maldives stemmed from derogatory comments made by Maldivian ministers against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi following his visit to India's Lakshadweep islands. Furthermore, the Maldives has set a March 5 deadline for India to withdraw its troops, coinciding with President Muizzu's first state visit to China after assuming office, a departure from the tradition of making India the first port of call.

While the Maldives clarified that the Chinese ship docking at its port would not conduct any research in Maldivian waters, the move is seen as evidence of the Maldives' shifting allegiance away from India towards Beijing, indicating a notable recalibration of its foreign policy priorities.

The Maldives government's recent decision to allow a Chinese ship to dock at their port has sparked concerns from the two main opposition parties, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and the Democrats. They cautioned against what they perceive as an "anti-India stance," warning that it could impede the island nation's development. This move comes amid strained relations between India and the Maldives and the Maldives' growing closeness to China, indicating a potential significant shift in the geopolitical and military dynamics of the Indian Ocean Region.

President Mohamed Muizzu, who won the 2023 elections, campaigned on an anti-India platform, marking a departure from his predecessors' pro-India policies. The opposition parties, jointly holding 55 seats in the 87-member house, emphasized the importance of maintaining relations with all development partners, especially India, whom they referred to as the "most long-standing ally."

Highlighting the significance of stability and security in the Indian Ocean, the opposition parties stressed the need for the Maldivian government to collaborate with all traditional development partners, as it has done historically.

The remarks were delivered during a joint news conference by MDP's chairperson Fayyaz Ismail, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Ahmed Saleem, Democrats chief MP Hassan Latheef, and Parliamentary Group Leader Ali Azim.

The recent diplomatic tensions between India and the Maldives stemmed from derogatory comments made by Maldivian ministers against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi following his visit to India's Lakshadweep islands. Furthermore, the Maldives has set a March 5 deadline for India to withdraw its troops, coinciding with President Muizzu's first state visit to China after assuming office, a departure from the tradition of making India the first port of call.

While the Maldives clarified that the Chinese ship docking at its port would not conduct any research in Maldivian waters, the move is seen as evidence of the Maldives' shifting allegiance away from India towards Beijing, indicating a notable recalibration of its foreign policy priorities.