Latest news with #IndiaChina
Al Jazeera
5 days ago
- Business
- Al Jazeera
India's Modi pledges $565m to Maldives to boost infrastructure
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a $565m credit line and launched free trade talks with the Maldives during a visit to the Indian Ocean archipelago. Modi's two-day trip, which began on Friday, is aimed at boosting India's development partnership with the Maldives, where India competes with China for influence. The Indian prime minister said the credit line was central to that goal. 'This will be used for projects linked to infrastructure development in line with the priorities of the Maldivian people,' he said, adding that the two countries would also finalise a bilateral investment agreement. Modi, who is making his first official visit to the Maldives since winning a third term last year, also stressed that India will remain the 'first responder' for the country, which has a population of approximately 525,000 people. 'India will continue to support the Maldives in strengthening its defence capabilities,' he said. 'Peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region are our shared goals.' India had been concerned that the Maldives was drifting towards the orbit of its rival China following the 2023 election of President Mohamed Muizzu on an anti-India platform. Since coming to power, Muizzu broke tradition by choosing to travel to China before visiting India. He also secured the withdrawal of a small contingent of Indian military personnel, who operated two search-and-rescue helicopters and a fixed-wing reconnaissance aircraft based in the archipelago. Muizzu's moves briefly soured relations with New Delhi, before India helped to prevent the $7.5bn economy from defaulting on its debt as the Maldives struggled to get tourists to its white-sand beaches and luxury resorts. Muizzu has since visited India and toned down his anti-India rhetoric. He also met Modi twice last year in New Delhi, with both leaders pledging to begin a 'new chapter' in bilateral ties. On Friday, Muizzu said the credit line from India would be used to strengthen the Maldives' security forces, as well as improve healthcare, housing, and education. 'India's continued assistance to the Maldives through the export of essential commodities is a key facet of our bilateral cooperation,' he said. Modi is due to leave the archipelago on Saturday after attending the country's 60th Independence Day celebrations in the capital, Male. The Indian prime minister will also remotely inaugurate an expansion of the international airport on the island of Hanimaadhoo, which India is helping to finance.
Bloomberg
7 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
India to Allow Tourist Visas for Chinese Nationals After Years
Chinese nationals will soon be able to apply for tourist visas to visit India, after years of curbs enforced by the South Asian nation on its neighbor following their 2020 border clash. The change, announced by the Indian embassy in China in a statement, is set to come into effect on Thursday.
CNA
27-06-2025
- Politics
- CNA
India seeks 'permanent solution' to border dispute with China
NEW DELHI: Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh told his Chinese counterpart that the two countries should seek a "permanent solution" to their decades-old border dispute, India's defence ministry said on Friday. Singh met China's Dong Jun on the sidelines of the meeting of the defence ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in Qingdao on Thursday and stressed on solving issues between the two countries through a structured roadmap, the ministry said in a statement. The world's two most populous nations – both nuclear powers - share a 3,800km, largely undemarcated and disputed border in the Himalayas and have gone to war over it. Although the frontier has been mostly peaceful in recent decades, a deadly clash between their troops in 2020 resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers. The clash led to a four-year military standoff with both armies deploying tens of thousands of troops in the mountains until they reached a pact in October to step back, leading to a thaw in ties. During his meeting with Dong, Singh also called for bridging the trust deficit created after the 2020 standoff, New Delhi said. SCO is a 10-nation Eurasian security and political grouping whose members include China, Russia, India, Pakistan, and Iran. Their defence ministers' meeting was held as a precursor to the annual summit of its leaders set for the autumn.
Al Arabiya
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
India seeks ‘permanent solution' to border dispute with China
Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh told his Chinese counterpart that the two countries should seek a 'permanent solution' to their decades-old border dispute, India's defense ministry said on Friday. Singh met China's Dong Jun on the sidelines of the meeting of the defense ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Qingdao on Thursday and stressed on solving issues between the two countries through a structured roadmap, the ministry said in a statement. The world's two most populous nations - both nuclear powers - share a 3,800 km (2,400 mile), largely undemarcated and disputed border in the Himalayas and have gone to war over it. Although the frontier has been mostly peaceful in recent decades, a deadly clash between their troops in 2020 resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers. The clash led to a four-year military standoff with both armies deploying tens of thousands of troops in the mountains until they reached a pact in October to step back, leading to a thaw in ties. During his meeting with Dong, Singh also called for bridging the trust deficit created after the 2020 standoff, New Delhi said. SCO is a 10-nation Eurasian security and political grouping whose members include China, Russia, India, Pakistan, and Iran. Their defense ministers' meeting was held as a precursor to the annual summit of its leaders set for the autumn.
Arab News
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
India seeks ‘permanent solution' to border dispute with China
NEW DELHI: Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh told his Chinese counterpart that the two countries should seek a 'permanent solution' to their decades-old border dispute, India's defense ministry said on Friday. Singh met China's Dong Jun on the sidelines of the meeting of the defense ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Qingdao on Thursday and stressed on solving issues between the two countries through a structured roadmap, the ministry said in a statement. The world's two most populous nations – both nuclear powers – share a 3,800-kilometer, largely undemarcated and disputed border in the Himalayas and have gone to war over it. Although the frontier has been mostly peaceful in recent decades, a deadly clash between their troops in 2020 resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers. The clash led to a four-year military standoff with both armies deploying tens of thousands of troops in the mountains until they reached a pact in October to step back, leading to a thaw in ties. During his meeting with Dong, Singh also called for bridging the trust deficit created after the 2020 standoff, New Delhi said. SCO is a 10-nation Eurasian security and political grouping whose members include China, Russia, India, Pakistan, and Iran. Their defense ministers' meeting was held as a precursor to the annual summit of its leaders set for the autumn.
