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Xi Jinping congratulated Mohamed Muizzu on Maldives Independence Day and pushed deeper bilateral cooperation. The message underlined Beijing's renewed outreach as Male also works to bolster ties with India.
Beijing,UPDATED: Jul 26, 2026 16:08 IST
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday greeted Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu on the 61st anniversary of the Maldives' independence and said Beijing wanted to advance its comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with Male.
In a message, Xi said China and the Maldives shared a long history of friendly exchanges and noted that the two countries had established diplomatic relations more than 54 years ago. He also referred to Muizzu's visit to China in 2024, when the two sides agreed to elevate ties and committed to building a China-Maldives community with a shared future.
Xi said he was ready to work with Muizzu to carry forward the traditional friendship, deepen practical cooperation and continue advancing the China-Maldives comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership so that it brings greater benefits to both peoples, state-run Xinhua reported.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also sent a message to his Maldivian counterpart Iruthisham Adam, saying Beijing was ready to work with Male to implement the important consensus reached by the two leaders, strengthen the alignment of development strategies and deepen high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.
Muizzu, who won the presidential election in September 2023 on an anti-India plank, visited China in early 2024 and signed 20 agreements. This was followed by a defence pact, which raised concerns in New Delhi because of the Maldives' proximity to India's southern coast.
He later toned down his anti-India rhetoric and improved ties with New Delhi as the Maldives faced a severe economic crisis. Muizzu visited India twice in 2024, first for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony and later on a state visit to New Delhi, where he acknowledged India's "pivotal role" in helping the Maldives manage its economic challenges. The visits focused on financial assistance, infrastructure, trade, connectivity and stronger bilateral cooperation, and India announced a major financial support package for the Maldives. Later, Modi visited the Maldives in July 2025 at Muizzu's invitation and attended the country's 60th Independence Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour.
Xi's message came as China reaffirmed its interest in deeper engagement with the Maldives, even as Male has also moved to strengthen ties with India in recent months.
With PTI Inputs
- Ends
Published By:
India Today Web Desk
Published On:
Jul 26, 2026 16:08 IST
