Maldives choosing China over India is matter of concern: Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury

Kolkata: Leader of the Congress Party in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has raised concerns about India’s growing rift with Maldives, while pointing out at China's attempts at influencing the archipelago nation's neighbours.

Chowdhury, on Monday, said that the Chinese attempts at increasing their influence is an issue of concern. Be it Arunachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, or Sikkim, or even Bhutan – China is scaling up.

Chowdhury stated that India’s relation with Maldives spreads over decades which has now turned into a growing rift. He said, historically, whenever a leader gets elected in a neighbouring country, a visit to India is preferred over other countries.

This is the first time a leader is not visiting India, and is instead going to China, he said.

“China is gradually strengthening its foothold in the Maldives. This is also an issue of concern for us,” he said.

Chowdhury stated that India’s friendly relation with the Maldives is turning very delicate. The elections in the islands, he said, were held with the slogan, 'India out'.

Criticising the Centre and PM Modi, Chowdhury said that “Our situation is turning very delicate and China is attempting to influence India’s immediate neighbours, including proposing development work in Bangladesh."

He added that chest-thumping should be stopped, and the country’s security should not get compromised under any condition.