COLOMBO, SRI LANKA — The Maldives has decided not to take part in a proposed military cooperation pact with the United States over fears that it could upset the regional power India, senior officials said Wednesday.
Speaking on a visit to Sri Lanka, the atoll nation’s new President Abdulla Yameen said he did not want to proceed with the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) that would have given the US a foothold in his archipelago located across the main east-west sea route.
“There have been discussions before ... we are not going to pursue it,” he told reporters in Colombo during his second overseas visit since winning elections two months ago.
The US had confirmed early last year discussions on the accord, but had said it had no intention of setting up any bases in the Maldives.
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