 "Maldives, one of the navy’s close maritime partners, has been a regular participant at MILAN — a week-long festival of discussions, band and cultural displays, sports events and cocktail parties, all to assert regional camaraderie")
A Chinese naval combat force that entered the Indian Ocean for the first time in four years may have helped deter an Indian intervention in the Maldives after its pro-China president imposed a state of emergency, according to military and diplomatic sources and analysts.
India has traditionally been the biggest player in the tiny island chain 400 km (250 miles) to its south, and faced calls from Maldives’ opposition leaders last month to use force against President Abdulla Yameen to restore democracy.
After the state of emergency was declared India - which sent troops to foil a coup in the Maldives three
