Rhea Basarkar
The Maldives, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, has become embroiled in great-power rivalry. The country recently upgraded its ties with China after years of close cooperation with India echoing similar moves by other Pacific island states. This shift has sparked fresh concerns in India—and the United States—about China’s expanding maritime influence in the Indo-Pacific.
How is the Maldives warming up to China?
The countries’ growing partnership has brought significant economic changes. Since joining China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2014, the Maldives has borrowed some $1.4 billion from Chinese banks, which now makes up 20 percent of its public debt. China has made several large infrastructure investments in the Maldives through the BRI, including the $200 million China-Maldives Friendship Bridge, which connects the islands of Hulhulé and Hulhumalé with the capital, Malé.
Bilateral ties strengthened further under newly elected President Mohamed Muizzu. Muizzu made China the destination of his inaugural state visit in January 2024, where he signed twenty new agreements with Beijing that included financial and military assistance.
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