National
China refutes Maldives ex-President’s allegations
New Delhi, Feb 12 (IANS) Amid the raging political crisis in the Maldives, China on Monday refuted allegations made by former Maldives President Mohammed Nasheed that Beijing is engaging in grabbing land in the Indian Ocean archipelago nation.
“Recently, former Maldivian President Nasheed made a lot of false remarks in the Indian media.
“He pointed fingers at the practical cooperation between China and Maldives and alleged that China engaged in so-called ‘land grabbing’ of Maldivian islands, which undermines the security of the Indian Ocean region,” Ji Rong, spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy here, said in a statement.
“These allegations are apparently groundless with no regard to facts.”
In an interview to an Indian newspaper, Nasheed sought India’s help saying that the Maldives is currently faced with two problems: radical Islam and China’s attempts at land grabbing.
He said that China now has 17 islands in that country and talking about investing $40 million but the purpose for this was not known.
He said that this problem was a not a bilateral one but multilateral and sought India’s intervention.
Nasheed’s comments come amid the current political crisis and after Maldives President Abdulla Yameen rushed through Parliament a free trade agreement with China last year, which raised eyebrows in New Delhi as it went against Male’s “India First” policy.
India has traditionally held influence in the Indian Ocean atoll nation where China has been trying to make inroads because of the country’s strategic location.
Experts say the Maldivian crisis could well become a new power struggle between India and China.
Ji, in his statement, said that in recent years, “on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, China and the Maldives have been cooperating on infrastructure and livelihood projects, which has played a positive role in transforming and upgrading the latter’s economy and improving its people’s livelihood” and these measures have been “widely welcomed” by the Maldivian people”.
“As a matter of fact, when Nasheed was the President, China and Maldives have already launched relevant cooperation projects. The ‘land grabbing’ allegation by Nasheed is apparently meant to serve certain political purposes of him.”
The Maldives has plunged into a crisis with President Yameen declaring a state of emergency and arresting the Chief Justice and a former head of state, after the Supreme Court termed as unjust the imprisonment of nine MPs and Nasheed who is in exile.
Yameen sent special envoys to China, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia even as New Delhi politely declined to host the Maldivian Foreign Minister.
Ji also reiterated China’s stand that the current situation in Maldives is its “internal affair” and “should be properly resolved through dialogue and negotiation by various parties in the country” as the Maldivian government and people have the “wisdom and ability to properly handle the problems they face and restore order”.
–IANS
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Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.
The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.
Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.
For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.
During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.
Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.
Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .
Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.
In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.
In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.
He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.
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