US concerned over China-Maldives relations

Unites States has raised concerns over the close relations the Maldives keeps with China. 

In an interview with India's Press Trust (PTI) news outlet, the US Assistant Secretary of Defence for South and South East Asia, Joe Felter, said that the growing Chinese influence on the Maldives is a concern for the US, same as India. 

Felter said that the Maldives is the backyard of India and he know India is concerned about how the events are unfolding and the US would be watching closely as well. 

The Assistant Secretary of Defence made the remarks in response to a question regarding the former President of Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed's accusation of China stealing land from the Maldives. 

Joe Felter said that events happening in the region is quite alarming and noted the Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka and Pakistan's Gwadar Port as examples. 

He said that the US wishes the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean to be an open and independent region that follows the regulations. 

With an uneasiness already existing between China and India, a similar tension has arisen between China and the US. 

Previously, India had raised concerns over the relationship between China and the Maldives but the Maldives have retained it's position saying that China is doing investments in the Maldives and investment opportunities are open globally.