Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu arrived in China on Monday on a five-day state visit. Chinese state media referred to the ongoing diplomatic row between India and Maldives calling for an "open-minded" approach to looking at South Asian issues. Muizzu, who is regarded as “pro-China”, is accompanied by his wife Sajidha Mohamed, and a high-level delegation.
The editorial in Global Times said that China has consistently regarded 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 Male to maintain good relations with New Delhi. Beijing 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," said the media editorial.
"It (China) 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 further added.
Ties between India and the Maldives have deteriorated after Mohamed Muizzu came to power.
"Under normal circumstances, when a new leader comes to power, they arrange their visits based on the importance and urgency of the matters to be dealt with. President Muizzu broke tradition by visiting Turkey for his first official overseas visit instead of India," Global Times said in the editorial.
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This comes on the same day when the Indian High Commissioner to Maldives, Munu Mahawar on Monday held a "pre-arranged meeting" with Ali Naseer Mohamed, Ambassador at large at the Maldivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Male.
A massive row was triggered last week after the Maldives deputy minister, along with other cabinet members and government officials, made disparaging and unsavoury references to PM Modi's Lakshadweep visit.
On January 2, PM Modi visited the Union Territory of Lakshadweep and shared several pictures, including an 'exhilarating experience' of him trying his hand at snorkelling. In a series of posts on X, PM Modi shared pictures of the white beaches, the pristine blue skies, and the ocean and tagged them with a message that read, "For those who wish to embrace the adventurer in them, Lakshadweep has to be on your list."
(With inputs from agency)