Maldives would do nothing that threatens the security of India- Nasheed

President Mohamed Nasheed has said that the Maldivian government would never do anything that threatens the security of the neighbouring India.

Speaking at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth of Australia, President Nasheed said that Maldives would not do anything that threatens India. He said this in a time when Indian newspapers reported concerns of the Indian government over the efforts of China expand their influence in the Indian Ocean by pushing to win many development projects and to establish an embassy in the Maldives.

President Nasheed said that India would always remain as a friend of the Maldives. India being the biggest democracy, the President said that he trusts democracy more than any other system.

"I can assure all Indians that Maldives will always be India's friend. India has always assisted us in times of stress, and will do so in the future," he said.

Meanwhile, India’s largest independent news wire, Indo-Asian News Service (IANS) reported that “there has been some concern in the Indian security establishment over what is seen as a Chinese attempt in the recent past to extend its influence in the 1,190-island nation that is strategically located along major sea lanes of the Indian Ocean.”

India's security establishment has been viewing with concern China's bid to expand its role in the Indian Ocean by building maritime links with countries such as Seychelles, Mauritius, the Maldives and Sri Lanka so as to protect its energy imports, reports IANS.

IANS also said that “India has also been augmenting its defence ties with countries like the Maldives, Mauritius and Seychelles. Its navy has, in fact, been helping the Maldives with maritime patrol. It is also helping the country set up a network of radars.”