China and the Maldives signed a defence cooperation agreement for free military assistance, aiming to strengthen bilateral ties. The agreement comes as the Maldives set a deadline for Indian military personnel withdrawal. The details of the agreement were not disclosed. This development follows the recent visit of a Chinese research ship to the Maldives, contrasting with Sri Lanka's denial of entry to the same ship. The move underscores the strategic dynamics in the Indian Ocean Region, with India and China vying for influence in neighboring countries like the Maldives.
