China has hit back and sent a strong message to India following criticism in Indian media of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's visit to China ahead of India.
An op-ed published on the Global Times newspaper that reflects the views and policies of China's ruling Communist Party stated that China has always treated the Maldives as an equal partner, respected the country's sovereignty and never asked the Maldives to oppose India.
The international media considers Global Times editorials to represent the stance of the Chinese government, which does not deny it.
"[China does not] 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," the Global Times editorial stated.
The op-ed concluded by advising India to "stay more open-minded" and suggested that China's cooperation with South Asian countries was "not a zero-sum game."
India wants the Maldives to adopt its "confrontational approach" toward China, the op-ed stated, criticizing Indian concern over China-Maldives relations.
"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," the Global Times said.
China and the Maldives have a long history of cooperation with growing economic and trade ties since in 1981, the op-ed noted.
After President Muizzu's visit to China was announced, some Indian newspapers characterized him as a "pro-China" leader. Since then, some Indians have been calling for a boycott of the Maldives over derogatory remarks made by some Maldivian officials in response to a tweet promoting Lakshadweep by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Amid the row, President Muizzu was criticized and called a "Chinese puppet."
Chinese government social media accounts have since launched a campaign to promote the Maldives.
