Malè (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Beijing "inflates the cost of debts", accused Ibrahim Ameer, the new Minister of Finance of the Maldives. During an official visit to New Delhi, he said that China "inflated the prices of infrastructure projects" negotiated by former president Abdulla Yameen.
He also assures the new government led by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih of the Maldivian Democratic Party (Mdp), wants to restore the policy of "India First" and renegotiate the commercial agreements signed with China.
The breakthrough in geopolitical relations in the Indian Ocean was expected since Solih beat his rival, ex-president Yameen, by surprise. The latter, a close friend of China, in recent years has signed a series of projects with Beijing.
Sri Lanka. Experts in the economic field point out that such plans risk plummeting the tax haven into a debt trap with no way out. In fact, last year Colombo was forced to cede control of the port of Hambantota for 99 years in Beijing to finance its debt.
Meanwhile India celebrates its renewed friendship with Malè. The Indian premier, Narendra Modi, who has supported the country in financial difficulties, took part in the inauguration ceremony of the new government on 17 November.
Mohamed Nasheed, MDP leader and first president, democratically elected in 2008, forced into new exile in 2012 and returned home after his victory of the Solih ally.
