The Maldives foreign ministry confirmed local media reports that research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 3 was headed to the Maldives. The ship arrives amid a diplomatic dispute between the Maldives and its giant neighbor India. Pro-China Muizzu was elected to office in November on a platform to evict Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives. At least 75 Indian military personnel are said to be stationed in the Maldives, and Muizzu had accused his predecessor of compromising national sovereignty by allowing Indian personnel on Maldivian islands. The known activities of the Indian military include operating aircraft and assisting in the rescue of people stranded or faced with calamities at sea.

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Persons: Xiang Yang Hong, Narendra Modi, Modi, Mohamed Muizzu, Muizzu, China Muizzu Organizations: —, Indian Locations: COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, Maldives, India, China, Male, “, Lakshadweep, Asia, Africa, Europe, Maldivian