By IANS,
Perth: Allaying apprehensions in New Delhi over China’s efforts to expand its influence in the Maldives, the island nation’s president has said it would never do anything that threatens India’s security.
Maldives’ youthful President, Mohamed Nasheed, said here on the sidelines of the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) that the Maldives “will always be India’s friend”, adding: “I trust democracy far more than any other system.”
There has been some concern in the Indian security establishment over what is seen as a Chinese attempt in the recent past to extend its influence in the 1,190-island nation that is strategically located along major sea lanes of the Indian Ocean.
There have been reports that China is set to establish a full-fledged embassy in Maldives and that it is lobbying to win crucial development projects in the archipelago.
The reports said China was keen on developing transit ports on Ihavandhoo and Maarandhoo — islands that are closest to India — as well as to develop Maldives’ second international airport at Hanimaadhoo.
There have also been unconfirmed reports about Beijing’s plans to establish a submarine base in the country.
“I can assure all Indians that Maldives will always be India’s friend. India has always assisted us in times of stress, and will do so in the future,” Nasheed said.
In 1988, a coup attempt by a group of Maldivians — with help of mercenaries belonging to Sri Lanka’s People’s Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam — was foiled with the help of Indian forces.
India’s security establishment has been viewing with concern China’s bid to expand its role in the Indian Ocean by building maritime links with countries such as Seychelles, Mauritius, the Maldives and Sri Lanka so as to protect its energy imports.
India has also been augmenting its defence ties with countries like the Maldives, Mauritius and Seychelles. Its navy has, in fact, been helping the Maldives with maritime patrol. It is also helping the country set up a network of radars.