India has no justification to intervene in Maldives: China daily

China's state-run daily newspaper Global Times in its op-ed piece said today that Maldives has had to choose "between being manipulated by India or its independence as a sovereign state."

"India has a strong desire to control South Asian countries. It regards the region as its backyard," the right-leaning newspaper said.

Exiled former Maldivian president Mohamed Nasheed had sought India's diplomatic and military intervention to resolve the national crisis sweeping the country.

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However, the Global Times said New Delhi takes it for granted that "it can openly intervene in their domestic affairs."

"New Delhi is particularly sensitive to any endeavour by small South Asian states toward independence and autonomy, especially ties with other major powers," it added.

Bringing up the One Belt, One Road intiative(OBOR), the newspaper said after president Yameen signed a Free trade agreement (FTA) with China to join the OBOR initiative the "Indian public opinion reacted harshly."

"The Maldives must be under huge pressure from India," the newspaper said, adding, "New Delhi has no justification to intervene in Malé's affairs."

Meanwhile, the Indian government has kept its troops ready in case the Maldives government requests India's help.The Indian Navy patrols sea lanes around the Maldives as part of naval cooperation.India hasasked its nationals to defer all non- essential travels to the Indian Ocean nation until further notice.