CHINA'S PLAN TO SEND ITS SHIP TO MALE FINALISED AFTER MUIZZU-XI TALKS

Atthe behest of Xi, Chinese diplomats shared Beijing’s final plan about the spy vessel’s journey with their counterparts

- T. BRAJESH

Maldives may have said that it received a diplomatic request from China for necessary clearances for the ship to make a port call for rotation of personnel and replenishment, but the reality is that Beijing's plan to send its spy vessel to India's maritime backyard was finalised during Maldivian President Mohamed Muizu's talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the Chinese capital two weeks ago.

"At the behest of Xi, Chinese diplomats shared Beijing's final plan about the spy vessel's journey with their counterparts from Maldivian Foreign Ministry," diplomatic sources following the development in Male and Beijing told The Daily Guardian. "China's  decision to send the spy ship in India's maritime backyard came only after Muizzu's approval for the same during his visit to Beijing itself. There was no process of request being sent by the Chinese foreign ministry for approval of the Maldivian government as is being said by Male now.

There was proper planning for it," sources aware of the development said, adding, "Maldives is ready to help China to facilitate research vessel activities after Sri Lanka refused".