Amid row with India, Maldives president begins visit to China

News Snapshot:

Amid strained ties and ongoing diplomatic row with India, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu departed for China, marking the beginning of a state visit at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Muizzu, a pro-China leader, with First Lady Sajidha Mohamed departed for Beijing on Sunday night. Muizzu, who came to power, speaking high about his ‘Out India’ campaign, suspended three deputy ministers — Malsha Shareef, Mariyam Shiuna, and Abdulla Mahzoon Maajid — after derogatory comments posted by them on X (formerly Twitter) in response to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s promotion of Lakshadweep archipelago for tourism. Some from Maldives viewed...