US to deepen ties with Maldives amid its pivot to China

The US is seeking to deepen ties with the Maldives, as it moves closer to China. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has welcomed his counterpart to Washington, hailing the Indian Ocean island state as an important partner. The visit comes two months after the party of President Mohamed Muizzu won a landslide in parliamentary elections. Mr Muizzu has pivoted ties towards China and away from India, which is a key US partner in standing up to Beijing in the Indo-Pacific.