Australia and the Maldives clarified that none of their government officials attended the China–Indian Ocean Forum held on Nov. 21, which the organizer claimed had gathered representatives from 19 countries, excluding India.
Their remarks were made in response to event organizer China International Development Cooperation Agency’s (CIDCA) joint statement on Nov. 22, which listed the Maldives and Australia as participating nations.
The Maldives’ Foreign Ministry said that “there was no official representation by the government of Maldives” at the forum, and that it had already informed the Chinese Embassy of its decision not to participate.
“Furthermore, participation by individuals or group of individuals from the Maldives does not constitute official representation by the government of Maldives,” the ministry said in a statement on Nov. 27….