Maldives President thanks India for strengthening country's fragile economy

President Mohamed Muizzu has thanked India and China for helping strengthen the Maldives' fragile economy, highlighting the importance of the two countries in addressing the Island nation's looming debt crisis and its future development.

China and India provide the most assistance in repaying the country's debt, President Muizzu said on Friday at an official function held to mark the 59th anniversary of the country's independence.

"I thank the Chinese government and the Indian government on behalf of the Maldivian people for their cooperation with this effort to strengthen the economy, to assure our economic sovereignty, for the sake of the Maldivian people," Muizzu was quoted as saying by Maldivian news portal adhadhu.com.

Muizzu came to power last year on an anti-India campaign plank seeking the removal of around 80 Indian military personnel operating helicopters and Dornier aircraft donated by India.

China for its part has scaled up its relations with Maldives, since Muzzu, wide