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Maldives

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Maldives. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Malé

Head of State

President Mohamed Muizzu

Head of Government

President Mohamed Muizzu

India

India boosts aid to Maldives in bid to ‘outdo’ China’s influence in region

In a sign of an ‘uptick in bilateral relations’, India has earmarked US$69 million in financial aid for the Maldives in its latest budget.

6 Feb 2025 - 8:00AMvideocam

India

Did India plot to oust Maldives’ Muizzu or is it just a ‘conspiracy theory’?

2 Jan 2025 - 6:56PMvideocam

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

My Take | South Asia needs to get its political house in order to turn around its economy

27 Dec 2024 - 10:30AM

Women and gender

Opinion | Faster, bolder action needed to empower women across the Asia-Pacific

Great strides made since 1995 Beijing Declaration of women’s rights but progress still uneven and often fragile. True equality remains elusive.

15 Nov 2024 - 5:45AMvideocam

A woman operates a drone under the government-backed “Drone Sister” programme, at a training centre in Manesar in the northern Indian state of Haryana. Women’s empowerment is key to unlocking the full potential of Asia-Pacific economies. Photo: AFP

Bangladesh

As China’s navy docks in Bangladesh, India watches with ‘growing concern’

Beijing is keen to cement ties with the new interim government in Dhaka – but analysts say all India sees is ‘continuous Chinese build-up’.

20 Oct 2024 - 3:00PM

India

Allies again? India’s ‘strategic patience’ with Maldives appears to pay off

During President Mohamed Muizzu’s visit to New Delhi, both sides announced partnerships in areas such as currency swap and port development.

8 Oct 2024 - 5:31PMvideocam

Hong Kong transport

Singapore Airlines offers Hong Kong fliers tickets discounted by up to 60%

Move set to put pressure on Cathay Pacific to also offer discounts as competition among regional rivals intensifies.

26 Sep 2024 - 6:55PM

Bali is among the destinations that Singapore Airlines has included in its promotional campaign. Photo: EPA-EFE

Mergers & Acquisitions

China’s Fosun in talks to sell stake in Club Med to Singapore’s CapitaLand

The firm, part of Temasek Holdings-owned conglomerate CapitaLand Group, seeks to acquire from 20 to 30 per cent of the hotelier.

17 Sep 2024 - 4:52PM

Hong Kong transport

Luxury airline forced to delay Hong Kong-Maldives service launch by 1 year

Business-class only airline Beond says launch delay due to long waits for aircraft deliveries, but stresses importance of Hong Kong and mainland Chinese markets.

24 Aug 2024 - 1:30PM

Bangladesh

Opinion | Unrest in Bangladesh is canary in coal mine for Global South

To surpass the West, the so-called ‘rest’ must first reckon with economic mismanagement, youth unemployment and shifting public opinion.

21 Aug 2024 - 8:40AMvideocam

China-India relations

China’s scientific sea voyages might rile India, but will they lead to clash?

Chinese research ships in Indian Ocean will raise alarms, but New Delhi is unlikely to escalate unless it feels threatened, analysts say.

16 Aug 2024 - 12:04AM

The Zhongshan Daxue, or Sun Yat-Sen University in English, is China’s largest and most advanced oceanographic research vessel. Photo: Xinhua

India

After Bangladesh chaos, is India losing its South Asia allies to China?

India may need to redefine its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy to accommodate China’s presence in the region, analysts note.

16 Aug 2024 - 9:24AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Maldives seeks to reset strained ties with India in bid to woo back tourists

The rapprochement comes after relations nosedived over the Indian troop presence in the Maldives and Malé drew closer to Beijing.

12 Aug 2024 - 4:15PM

Bangladesh

Opinion | Can democracy in South Asia withstand US-China rivalry?

From rising authoritarianism to political instability, unrest throughout the region has intensified alongside shifting alliances.

10 Aug 2024 - 5:59AMvideocam

India

Oceans apart: are China and India drifting into troubled waters?

China’s ports and ship deployments in India’s backyard raise concerns of control and influence in Indian Ocean as next possible flashpoint.

3 Aug 2024 - 12:43PMvideocam

China’s research and survey vessel, the Yuan Wang 5, arrives at Hambantota port on August 16, 2022. Photo: AFP

Asia travel

Review | Waldorf Astoria vs Raffles Meradhoo – which is the Maldives’ best resort?

Two luxe 5-star resorts in the Maldives offer their own approach to island life – but both have sumptuous villas, delicious food, relaxing spas, and plenty of sun, sand and surf

13 Jul 2024 - 8:45AM

Tourism

Asian Angle | Ocean’s treasure: Maldives’ blue economy builds on traditions, folk stories

The Maldives’ development model, which has aimed to make better use of its marine resources, plays a key role in its survival and growth.

7 Jul 2024 - 11:00AM

Crime

Minister arrested for performing ‘black magic’ on Maldives president

State environment minister Fathimath Shamnaz Ali Saleem was remanded in custody for a week pending investigations.

27 Jun 2024 - 4:20PM

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu. Photo: AFP

Israel-Gaza war

Video | The Maldives bans Israeli tourists

4 Jun 2024 - 5:30PM

Israel

Israelis banned from luxury Indian Ocean tourist hotspot Maldives over Gaza war

The Islamic island nation will impose a ban on all Israeli passports, said the office of the president, announcing a national fundraising campaign in ‘solidarity with Palestine’.

3 Jun 2024 - 9:54AM

Israel-Gaza war

Biden’s Gaza plan ‘not a good deal’ but Israel accepts it, Netanyahu aide says

Pressure is growing on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following US President Joe Biden’s proposal for an end to the war in Gaza.

3 Jun 2024 - 12:44PM

Israeli tanks near the Israel-Gaza border. Photo: Reuters

India

India-Maldives ties in flux as China’s growing sway causes New Delhi to fret

After a tense start to the year, India and the Maldives appear to be mending fences – with what analysts call ‘deep economic difficulties’ pushing the Indian Ocean nation to engage.

2 Jun 2024 - 7:30PMvideocam

Male, capital of the Maldives. Indian considers the archipelago nation, which is situated along key shipping routes, part of its sphere of influence. Photo: Getty

Asia travel

What to expect at Maldives’ Soneva Secret, from manta rays to an astrologer

The vision of sustainable luxury hotel pioneers Sonu Shivdasani and his wife Eva, the newly opened Soneva Secret is located in the remote-but-pristine Haa Dhaalu Atoll

29 May 2024 - 4:00PM

Tencent

Tencent’s WeChat Pay expands coverage to the Maldives

The Chinese internet giant aims to expand the coverage of WeChat Pay in the Maldives to 8,000 merchants by the end of this year.

28 May 2024 - 9:00AM

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

With Chinese loans looming, Maldives gets IMF warning over ‘debt distress’

As of June 2023, the Export-Import Bank of China owned 25.2 per cent of the Maldives’ external debt and was the country’s biggest single lender.

13 May 2024 - 6:29PM

A construction worker looks on as the China-funded Sinamale bridge is seen in Male, Maldives. Photo: Reuters

India

Indian troops withdraw from Maldives at pro-China leader’s request

India pulled out its last remaining soldiers stationed in the Maldives on Friday, meeting a deadline for their withdrawal that had strained ties between the two neighbours.

10 May 2024 - 7:19PMvideocam

India

After big election win, Maldives’ pro-China president has ‘nothing to block him’

A thumping victory for his party in this month’s parliamentary elections has lent Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu a free hand. But observers say his country is simply ‘too small’ to be taking sides.

24 Apr 2024 - 9:15AMvideocam

India

Landslide win for pro-China leader’s party in Maldives election

Voters backed President Mohamed Muizzu‘s tilt towards China and away from traditional benefactor India, with his party winning 66 of the first 86 seats declared on Monday.

22 Apr 2024 - 9:27AMvideocam

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