Energy deal between Pakistan, Maldives irks India

An energy deal between Pakistan and Maldives has irked India, deteriorating the relationship between the two countries further after Maldives recently scrapped a helicopter deal with India.

The agreement was signed last month between STELCO of Maldives and Pakistan’s WAPDA. The deal focuses on capacity building in the energy sector. India, however, believes that Pakistan cannot do much to help Maldives, which is using the Chinese influence to curb India in the Maldives.

“The simple fact is that [President Abdulla] Yameen, fully encouraged by his Chinese friends, is pushing India to test the limits of our power,” said Ravi Joshi, who served as an Indian diplomat in the Maldives, quoted the Economic Times.

China is backing mega projects in Pakistan, including a number of power plants and major infrastructure projects, which has led to an influx of Chinese nationals hoping to tap into the infrastructure boom.

“Given its precarious financial situation, Pakistan cannot do much to help the Maldives. However, President Yameen is trying his best to reduce Indian footprint and bring in elements hostile to India to undermine Indian influence in the Maldives,” the Times of India quoted an Indian official saying.