ISTANBUL 

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu Monday arrived in the eastern Fujian province on his maiden state visit to China. 

The trip to China by Muizzu comes at the invitation of President Xi Jinping.

According to the Maldivian Presidency, Muizzu, along with his delegation, visited the Xiamen Free Trade Zone in eastern Fujian province.

During his trip until Friday, Muizzu will meet Xi for bilateral talks, meet Chinese officials, and address a business forum as the island nation moves to diversify its economy.

The Maldivian and Chinese governments will hold official talks and sign key agreements to improve trade, professional, and socioeconomic development in the Maldives, according to a statement by the presidency.

Muizzu was sworn in as president last November and has since visited Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates.

The visit to China comes amid simmering tensions with its northern neighbor India. Male has asked New Delhi to withdraw its soldiers from the Maldives.

In the latest escalation, India and Maldives summoned their ambassadors in what appears a reciprocal move on Monday.

It comes after Muizzu’s administration suspended three deputy ministers, including Malsha Shareef, Mariyam Shiuna, and Abdulla Mahzoom Majid, over alleged derogatory remarks against India following a trip to Lakshadweep Island by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Maldives Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer said: “The recent remarks against foreign leaders and our close neighbors are unacceptable and do not reflect the official position of the Government of Maldives.”

“We remain committed to fostering a positive and constructive dialogue with all our partners, especially our neighbors, based on mutual respect and understanding,” he said in a statement on X.

Zameer is also accompanying Muizzu on the China trip.

According to New Delhi-based Press Trust of India, Ambassador Ibrahim Shaheeb of Maldives was summoned by the Indian Foreign Ministry and “conveyed strong concern over remarks” posted on social media against India.

Male-based Sun News reported that Indian Ambassador Munu Mahawar in Male was summoned by the Maldivian Foreign Ministry to “explain” Maldives’ side amid the diplomatic row.