Haven't permitted Chinese research vessels in Maldivian waters: Foreign minister Moosa Zameer in Delhi

External affairs minister S Jaishankar (right) meets Maldives counterpart Moosa Zameer in New Delhi on May 9

Maldives foreign minister Moosa Zameer on May 9 denied having given any permission to Chinese vessel for research on Maldivian waters, adding that the peace and security of the Indian Ocean is paramount for both India, Maldives, Sri Lanka and rest of the countries in the region.

“Regarding the port call for Chinese vessels, we issued personal rotation and friendly portable permits, and diplomatic clearances came from the Chinese side, which is very common in Maldives. So that's how it has happened we as a peaceful country, welcome those vessels which come for peaceful purposes. But they didn't come for research in the Maldivian waters, we have not permitted the Chinese vessel for research in the Maldivian waters," Zameer told news agency ANI

Zameer arrived in New Delhi on May 8 for an official visit to discuss bilateral ties between the two nations. He met India’s foreign minister S Jaishankar on May 9 to discuss regional issues of mutual interest to provide impetus to multifaceted relationship between the two sides. The visit also comes at time when New Delhi has said it will replace its troops from the island nation before May 10.

“The peace and security of the Indian Ocean is important for both India and Maldives and Sri Lanka and the rest of the countries that we have in the neighbourhood. So, we will continue to work together as I said earlier,” the minister said.

He also denied any military pact with Beijing and said President Mohamed Muizzu’s visit to India was delayed after discussions for the convenience of both sides. "I dont think there is any military pact with China. One thing the president of Maldives has clearly said is that we are not bringing in any foreign militaries in the Maldives, no, we are not.”

President Muizzu recently visited China soon after getting elected in a recent poll. Traditionally, the Maldivian president officially visits India before visiting other countries. President Muizzu, who won 66 seats out of 93, had based his poll campaign on ending ‘India first’ policy.

The president visited Turkey as well as China. I think that mainly on convenience because obviously, we did discuss with Delhi about a visit. But for the convenience of both sides, we thought it might be okay for us to delay it a little bit. So, in fact, even today, with my discussions with the external affairs minister, we are discussing the President's visit to Delhi very soon. Hopefully, the foreign minister said.

Zameer also spoke about the declining numbers of Indian tourists in Maldives and was confident that it will pick up soon. "I think the minister of tourism has clearly said that he would like to welcome and I like myself to welcome all Indians who would like to travel to Maldives."

Zameer said he also discussed economic cooperation between the two countries and said that Maldives appreciates the support provided by New Delhi.

“...But Maldivian people have benefited from the debt that we have received and also from a lot of grants that we have received from the Indian government, and we really appreciate that," he said.