"Maldives Grants Port Clearance to Chinese Ship, Raising Tensions with India"

The Maldives government has granted clearance to a Chinese research vessel to dock in its port, potentially escalating tensions with India amid a diplomatic dispute. The move comes as the Maldives seeks to reduce its dependence on India and strengthen ties with China, prompting concerns from India, which views the Maldives as within its sphere of influence. The dispute also involves a social media spat and the presence of Indian military personnel in the Maldives, highlighting the broader competition for influence between India and China in the Indian Ocean region.