'Be more open-minded': China lectures India over Lakshadweep-Maldives row
New Delhi, Jan 9: Amid the escalating India-Maldives row, China is looking to strengthen its ties with the island nation. Now, in an editorial published by Global Times, China has lectured India over the ongoing row against Maldives and urged New Delhi to 'be more open-minded'.
Chinese experts and analysts further stated that India appears to "lack confidence" in its politicians and should adopt a more "open-minded approach" and not "shift the blame on China".
"India's strained relations with certain countries in South Asia can be attributed to its perception of being the regional boss. Instead of shifting blame to China, India should take a moment to reflect on its policies toward its neighbours and abandon the zero-sum mentality," the Global Times reports citing analysts.
In the editorial, China has also backed Muizzu and Maldives. The report added that China has always treated Maldives as an equal partner and respects its sovereignty and has "never asked Male to reject New Delhi because of the conflicts between China and India, nor does it view cooperation between the Maldives and India as unfriendly or a threat".
Further, it also tried to justify Muizzu's visit to China saying, "Muizzu's decision to visit China before India does not necessarily mean that he is "pro-China and anti-India." It only demonstrates that Muizzu is treating India with a normal mind-set and steering the relationship between the Maldives and India to a normal state-state relationship."
It also said, "China has always treated the Maldives as an equal partner and respected its sovereignty. It also respects the friendly and cooperative relationship between the Maldives and India, fully aware of the importance for Malé to maintain good relations with New Delhi," it added.
"Beijing has never asked Malé to reject New Delhi because of the conflicts between China and India, nor does it view cooperation between the Maldives and India as unfriendly or a threat. It is also willing to carry out trilateral cooperation between China, India and the Maldives. New Delhi should stay more open-minded, as China's cooperation with South Asian countries is not a zero-sum game," it concluded.
The row with India also comes during President Mohamed Muizzu's visit to China. Upon the invitation of Xi Jinping, President and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed will be in China till January 12, 2024.
Muizzu suspended the three ministers - Malsha Shareef, Mariyam Shiuna and Abdulla Mahzoom Majid for mocking PM Narendra Modi over his visit to Lakshwadeep and the Maldivian government added that it will be "distancing" itself from its remarks.
However, the India-Maldives row also highlights the pre-existing problems between the two nations - the presence of Indian troops.
Despite the tensions from the troop deployment, the India-Maldives row escalated to new heights after the derogatory remarks against PM Modi. Both countries have also summoned their respective envoys, marking an escalation.
During Muizzu’s China visit, Male and Beijing are expected to sign a series of agreements related to trade, infrastructure and tourism.
In an editorial piece, published by state-backed Global Times, Chinese experts have stated that India's mentality of being the "regional boss has caused a strain in its relations with regional countries in South Asia".
Chinese experts and analysts further stated that India appears to "lack confidence" in its politicians and should adopt a more "open-minded approach" and not "shift the blame on China".
"India's strained relations with certain countries in South Asia can be attributed to its perception of being the regional boss. Instead of shifting blame to China, India should take a moment to reflect on its policies toward its neighbours and abandon the zero-sum mentality," the Global Times reports citing analysts.
In the editorial, China has also backed Muizzu and Maldives. The report added that China has always treated Maldives as an equal partner and respects its sovereignty and has "never asked Male to reject New Delhi because of the conflicts between China and India, nor does it view cooperation between the Maldives and India as unfriendly or a threat".
Further, it also tried to justify Muizzu's visit to China saying, "Muizzu's decision to visit China before India does not necessarily mean that he is "pro-China and anti-India." It only demonstrates that Muizzu is treating India with a normal mind-set and steering the relationship between the Maldives and India to a normal state-state relationship."
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"Beijing has never asked Malé to reject New Delhi because of the conflicts between China and India, nor does it view cooperation between the Maldives and India as unfriendly or a threat. It is also willing to carry out trilateral cooperation between China, India and the Maldives. New Delhi should stay more open-minded, as China's cooperation with South Asian countries is not a zero-sum game," it concluded.
India-Maldives Row Amid Muizzu’s China Visit
Muizzu suspended the three ministers - Malsha Shareef, Mariyam Shiuna and Abdulla Mahzoom Majid for mocking PM Narendra Modi over his visit to Lakshwadeep and the Maldivian government added that it will be "distancing" itself from its remarks.
However, the India-Maldives row also highlights the pre-existing problems between the two nations - the presence of Indian troops.
Since his campaign days, Muizzu adopted an ‘India-Out’ stance and promised to make India withdraw its troops if elected. After winning the elections in September 2023, the Maldives President began to work towards the removal of the 77 Indian troops on the island nation, that have been sent as part of the many agreements signed with the island nation.
Also Read: With 8000+ bookings canceled in Maldives ahead of elections, Bharat shows its fondness for PM Modi as their leader
Despite the tensions from the troop deployment, the India-Maldives row escalated to new heights after the derogatory remarks against PM Modi. Both countries have also summoned their respective envoys, marking an escalation.
During Muizzu’s China visit, Male and Beijing are expected to sign a series of agreements related to trade, infrastructure and tourism.
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