With eye on China, US to partner Maldives for free Indo-Pacific

A senior state department official stated that the US has reiterated its commitment to working with the Maldives to advance a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, in light of the archipelagic republic in the Indian Ocean getting closer to China.

This message was delivered on Tuesday in Washington, DC, at a meeting between visiting Maldivian foreign minister Moosa Zameer and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

According to state department spokesman Matthew Miller, Secretary Blinken reiterated the US commitment to working with the Maldives to advance a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

Since taking office in November of last year, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, who is well-known for his pro-China views, has strengthened ties with Beijing and signed a number of bilateral agreements, including one pertaining to defense cooperation.

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Blinken’s mention of the Indo-Pacific is particularly noteworthy because China fiercely opposes US and other international involvement in a region where Beijing has serious maritime territorial issues with nations like Vietnam and the Philippines.

Miller released a statement highlighting Blinken’s efforts, which included the US donating eight patrol boats to the Maldives and collaborating with Congress to provide $2 million in hydrographic support to help the nation lessen the effects of sea level rise.

According to the statement, Blinken and Zameer talked about further ways to strengthen collaboration on tackling the climate issue, economic expansion, marine security, and other bilateral concerns.

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According to the foreign ministry, among other topics covered in Male were defense and security cooperation, commitment to economic growth, and climate change adaptation. Zameer and Blinken also reaffirmed their support for maritime security and regional stability.

“Met with Maldivian Foreign Minister @MoosaZameer to enhance the US-Maldives partnership and cooperation on climate, economic growth, and maritime security,” posted Blinken on his X handle with the photos of the meeting.

Almost echoing the sentiment, Zameer posted on his X handle, “I am delighted to meet with the Honourable @SecBlinken, Secretary of State of the US, today. I reaffirmed our commitment to further strengthen the partnership between the Maldives and US in tackling climate change, promoting democracy and cooperation in maritime security.”

A statement from the Maldives Foreign Ministry said that the Maldives and the United States reaffirmed their commitment to explore new avenues “to strengthen the partnership” and acknowledged the importance of upholding a rules-based international order and expressed their commitment to regional stability, maritime security and promoting peace.

“Secretary Blinken congratulated the Maldives on the successful Presidential and Parliamentary elections and acknowledged the Maldives’ leadership in the international fora towards combating climate change and promoting environmental sustainability,” the statement said.

News portal Sun.mv said that earlier on Tuesday, Zameer met with Samantha Power, the Administrator of the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

“The two deliberated on various themes related to economical advancements and protecting the environment in addition to consolidating Maldivian associations with the agency’s assistance,” Edition.mv said.

Zameer had left for Washington on Sunday night, in a visit that the Foreign Ministry said seeks to “further strengthen the Maldives - US partnership and reaffirm commitment to multilateralism,” Sun.mv said.

Zameer will also travel to New York, where he will meet with the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Li Junhua, media reports said.