China looks to play key role in Indian Ocean development as New Delhi is snubbed for marine protection meeting
- Virtual meeting hosted by a Chinese development agency addressed protection of the marine environment, the climate crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic
- Forum attended by 17 countries could be viewed as attempt to develop alternative grouping, like the Quad, says scholar
A CIDCA spokesman said on Tuesday China was willing to contribute to sustainable development and lasting prosperity in the Indian Ocean region together with the South Asian state.
CIDCA, an official agency focused on advancing foreign aid and international cooperation, held the video meeting from Kunming, in southern China’s Yunnan province, on November 21.
It was attended by representatives from 17 states, including Indonesia, Pakistan, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and three international organisations.
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According to the Hindustan Times, India was not invited. The Maldives and Australia were invited but did not send government officials to the event, although groups or individuals from the two countries may have attended.
