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Einar Tangen, a senior researcher at the Chinese think tank Taihe Institute, pointed out that Muizou not only visited the United States this year, but also visited China and India, reflecting China’s desire to balance relations with all parties.
“China wants to see the Maldives remain neutral … the Maldives has very wisely decided not to align,” he said.
ISAS’s Palit said that a few months into Muizou’s presidency, his government may have begun to realize that “India exit” and heavy reliance on China is not a viable long-term move for the country.
“There are also drawbacks to being too close to China. It is important to adopt a hedging strategy and maintain as much balance as possible among the competing strategic interests in the region,” he said.
He added that a potential free trade agreement between the Maldives and China could not only provide a significant boost to the island nation’s tourism industry, but could also eliminate a large number of tariffs, which are another major source of revenue for the Maldives.
“Tourism is not a fully sustainable industry. What is important for the Maldives is to ensure that over-reliance on tourism does not divert (other income),” he told CNA’s East Asia Tonight programme.
“I tend to think that the Maldives is starting to take notice that a more balanced approach is possible from a statistical, strategic and economic perspective, and will perhaps continue to pursue it.”
As the Maldives charts its own path, its role in international diplomacy is evolving, an evolution influenced by its commitment to multilateral engagement and maintaining its independence.
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