New Delhi: In what is being seen as a veiled attack on China on the Maldives crisis, India hoped late on Friday evening that “all countries can play a constructive role in Maldives, instead of doing the opposite”.
The veiled criticism is being seen in the context of a remark made earlier in the day in Beijing by Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang who was quoted by news agencies as saying, “The international community should respect the will of the Maldives and play a constructive role in the stability and development of Maldives instead of doing the opposite.” China’s remark was apparently made in the context of reports about Indian troops being kept on standby and was seen as proof that Beijing is completely backing Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen whose recent actions have upset New Delhi.
According to news agency reports from Beijing on Friday, visiting Maldivian economic development minister Mohamed Saeed told Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi, “The Maldives has the ability to protect the security of the Chinese personnel and the institutions.”
But apparently some contradictory media reports have surfaced, claiming that Maldives has sought support from China to maintain security for Chinese investments.
On Friday evening, “in response to a query on media reports that Maldives has sought support from China to maintain security for Chinese investments,” the ministry of external affairs in New Delhi said, “We note that China has said that Maldives Government has the ability to protect the security of Chinese personnel and institutions in Maldives. We hope that all countries can play a constructive role in Maldives, instead of doing the opposite.”
