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Maldives

Fate of Maldives-China FTA uncertain as Male loosens ties with Beijing
10-Feb-2019 NewsIn Asia
The Maldives-China Free Trade Agreement (MCFTA) is in limbo as the new Maldivian government is looking into all deals, including the MCFTA, entered into by the previous regime.
Maldives’s debt to China creates difficulties for Solih
22-Jan-2019 The Siasat Daily
The Maldives incurred huge debts and the amount owed to China is still being assessed given that the pitfalls of China’s influence over the Maldivian economy.
Maldives committed to protect foreign investment: President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
17-Dec-2018 Economic Times
A bilateral investment protection agreement is expected to be signed between India and the Maldives.
Maldives financially devastated by BRI
3-Dec-2018 New Delhi Times
New Maldives President offered the opportunity for India to revive relations with the Maldives after former government deepened cooperation under the Belt and Road initiative and signed the China-Maldives free trade agreement.
Maldives set to pull out of China free trade deal, says senior lawmaker
19-Nov-2018 Reuters
The Maldives’ new government will pull out of a free trade agreement with China because it was a mistake for the tiny nation to strike such a pact with the world’s second biggest economy, the head of the largest party in the ruling alliance said.
Maldives feels the weight of China’s regional ambitions
29-Jan-2018 Nikkei Asian Review
Even before China and the Maldives last month signed the FTA in question, the paradisaic archipelago’s increasing economic dependence on China was raising red flags.
Nasheed accuses China of land grab in Maldives
23-Jan-2018 Outlook
The land grab was happening because of a Free Trade Agreement, Special Economic Zones and an amendment to the Constitution authorising foreign ownership of land or freeholds.
Delhi, Male set to reboot bilateral ties
10-Jan-2018 The Hindu
Maldivian Foreign Minister’s visit signals possible thaw in ties strained over FTA with China.
China forces Maldives to sign ’Beijing-driven’ Free Trade Agreement
19-Dec-2017 Deccan Chronicle
The Maldives prez rushed into the agreement without following legal norms which created considerable anti-China sentiments among his people.
Why is the FTA between China and Maldives important to India?
15-Dec-2017 Indian Express
Now that the agreement has been signed between China and Maldives, India has said it expected the Indian Ocean archipelago nation to be sensitive to New Delhi’s concerns.
Maldives ’open doors’ in 64 fields for China
12-Dec-2017 Avas
The controversial China-Maldives free trade agreement (FTA) is expected to open the doors of trade in 64 different fields in Maldives for China while the Asian monolith will open trade doors in 98 fields to Maldives.
China trumps India yet again over Maldives; gains geopolitical influence with trade deal
1-Dec-2017 Financial Express
In November 2016, the Maldives said that it would sign its first free trade agreement soon, ostensibly with India. A year later, the island country has indeed signed its first FTA, but with China.
A 1000 pages in 25 minutes: ’Google speed’ for Maldives-China FTA
30-Nov-2017 Avas
Another contentious parliament sitting has left angry opposition lawmakers and public alike stunned and understandably outraged. This time, the government, for the first time in Maldives’ history pushed through a landmark free trade agreement with China.
Maldives, Hong Kong to establish free trade agreements
9-May-2016 Avas
Negotiations are underway to establish a free trade agreement between Maldives and Hong Kong.
Maldives begins free trade pact discussion with China
21-Dec-2015
The two-day discussion on establishing the Maldives-China free trade pact began early Monday in Bandos Island Resort.
China-Maldives sign MOU for free trade pact
10-Sep-2015 Haveeru
The second meeting of the Maldives-China Joint Commission for Trade and Economic Cooperation ended with the signing of the MOU between both countries to begin discussions of the Maldives-China free trade agreement.
Maldives backs new Chinese investment bank, pursues free trade deal
22-Dec-2014 Minivan
Maldives Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture Dr Mohamed Shainee has revealed that China is to become the Maldives first free trade partner.
China-Maldives: MSR deal sealed, free trade deal in the making
17-Dec-2014 Haveeru
The Maldives and Chinese government have agreed to start discussions on a free trade agreement.
Maldives to boycott Israeli products, annul bilateral agreements
22-Jul-2014 Minivan News
Explaining the boycott, Mohamed Hussain ‘Mundhu’ Shareef, minister at the President’s Office, said “Israeli investment is not important for us. We want investments from countries with human rights practices that are acceptable to us.”
Investment protection clause: India can’t do a Maldives without paying a price
24-Dec-2012
Recent disputes, including the GMR-Maldives government row and the clash between foreign telecom firms Telenor, Sistema, Etisalat and Vodafone and the Indian government, have exposed India’s vulnerable position in investment agreements. While the foreign telecom companies can use a potent weapon - the ’investment protection’ clause in bilateral treaties - against India, GMR cannot do the same with Maldives.