Male: amod the stained ties The Maldives have inked a capacity building pact in the power sector with Pakistan, according the reports of The Times of India. The development comes at a time as the ties between India and Maldives have turned bitter after the Maldives denied to give work permits to Indians delaying a number of projects.
India is worried as Maldives President Abdulla Yameen's government policy grows with Pakistan. India has been worrying as Last week, officials from Stelco, the Maldives state electricity company, visited Pakistan and inked a MoU promising cooperation in “institution-building” activities, according to reports by TOI.
Stelco's projects are mainly handled by Chinese companies. The growing realationship with Pakistan made India to raise an eyebrow after work permit and helicopter cold-shoulder.
As per reports, Indian officials are trying to know about the Male's strategies with Pakistan. President Yameen has been known for his 'anti-India' strategies. An Indian official said that a deal with Pakistan won't gain the Maldives because of Pakistan the former's “precarious” financial situation.
“But Yameen is trying his best to reduce Indian footprint and bring in elements hostile to India to undermine Indian influence in the Maldives, even at the cost of interests of the Maldivian people,” the official was quoted by ToI as saying.