China left red-faced! Australia, Maldives deny in China-led Indian Ocean Forum meet that was held without India

NewsBharati 28-Nov-2022 14:50:08 PM

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Beijing, Nov 28: In a huge embarassment for China, Australia and the Maldives have denied any kind of participation at the China-led Indian Ocean Region Forum meet, pointing out that they were not present at the meet.

Notably, the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), an organisation connected with the Chinese Foreign Ministry held a meeting of the China-Indian Ocean Region Forum on Development Cooperation on November 21, in which 19 countries took part, according to a press release issued by the organisation.

Australia, Maldives deny in China-led Indian Ocean Forum meet that was held without India

The meet took place in Kunming, Yunnan on 21st November and according to CIDCA joint statement representatives of 19 countries, including Indonesia, Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, Afghanistan, Iran, Oman, South Africa, Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, Seychelles, Madagascar, Mauritius, Djibouti, Australia and representatives of 3 international organisations were present, it said. India was not invited to the meet.

However, Maldives and Australia on Sunday clarified that it did not participate in the "China-Indian Ocean Forum on Development Cooperation" held on November 21. "Contrary to media reporting, no Australian Government official attended the Kunming China-Indian Ocean Forum on Development Cooperation," tweeted Australia's High Commissioner to India, Barry O'Farrell.

"Pleased @TimWattsMP attended #IORA Ministerial Council last week, the only ministerial-level forum for the Indian Ocean. Australia was delighted India's application for Vice Chair was accepted by consensus. We share an enduring interest: a free, open, rules-based and secure Indo-Pacific," added the Australian envoy.

While Canberra was invited for the meet by Beijing, Australia, a member of Quad (comprising Australia, Japan, India and the US) declined to participate in the China-led Indian Ocean Forum meet. Earlier, the Maldives Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday denied participating in the "China-Indian Ocean Forum on Development Cooperation."

"The Ministry would like to clarify, that the Government of Maldives did not participate in the above-mentioned Forum, and communicated its decision not to participate to the Embassy of the People's Republic of China to the Maldives on November 15, 2022, read Maldives Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement.

Furthermore, participation by individuals or groups of individuals from the Maldives does not constitute official representation by the Government of Maldives, read the statement.