INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Image copyrightEPAImage caption
Ibrahim Mohamed Solih became the Maldives' new president on Saturday
The
new Maldives government is considering pulling out of a free trade agreement with China, a top leader from the islands' governing alliance
"The free trade agreement is very one-sided the numbers don't match," ex-president Mohamed Nasheed told the TheIndianSubcontinent.The
Maldives' parliament would not approve the law required for the trade deal to come into force, he added.The comments come days after Mr
Nasheed's ally Ibrahim Mohamed Solih became the Maldives' new president.Mr Nasheed - a senior advisor to President Solih - was barred from
contesting the September elections.There has been no immediate response from China to the latest comments, but a week ago the Chinese
embassy in the capital Male rejected a statement by Mr Nasheed in which he said his country risked falling into a debt trap with Beijing
The previous president, Abdulla Yameen, preferred close links with China and signed the free trade agreement during a visit to Beijing last
December.Image copyrightReutersImage caption
Former president Abdulla Yameen went to Beijing in 2017 to sign a free
trade agreement
China and Chinese companies have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in various infrastructure projects
in the Indian Ocean nation, known for its luxury resorts and coral islands.But Mr Nasheed's comments are seen as the latest sign of a
backlash against Beijing in the Maldives.The Indian-Ocean archipelago is among a number of small countries where China has invested billions
of dollars building highways and ports as part of its Belt and Road Initiative, to promote trade between Asia and parts of the rest of the
world.Mr Nasheed also said China and Chinese companies have taken over a number of islands in the Maldives on leases ranging from 50 to 100
the former president said.Mr Nasheed prefers close ties with India, which has been trying to regain its influence in the Maldives.The Indian
prime minister, Narendra Modi, was among the guests who attended the swearing-in of President Solih in the capital Male on Saturday.Mr Solih
is also expected to make his first state visit to India next month
Image copyrightAFP PHOTO/PIBImage caption
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, left, attended the inauguration of
President Mohamed Solih, right
