15 January 2024 – The Hindu

India Maldives Relations

• The already strained relations between India and the Maldives were further strained by the controversy surrounding Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep. Three Maldivian deputy ministers in the Ministry of Youth Affairs sparked the controversy by disparaging India and the Prime Minister after his recent visit to Lakshadweep.
• The ministers’ remarks have drawn criticism in India, where a number of well-known figures have urged people to think about visiting domestic tourism sites rather than the Maldives. The episode highlights the perils of hypernationalism in the area and the necessity of broad cooperation between two South Asian neighbours with significant interests in common.

Why Is the Maldives-India Relationship Important?

Strategic Importance:

• The Maldives have great strategic significance for India due to its close proximity to the country’s west coast and its location at the centre of commercial sea lanes that traverse the Indian Ocean, making it the focal point of the country’s Neighbourhood First policy.
• It serves as the centrepiece for the ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’ initiatives of the Indian government.

India’s Initial Reaction to the Maldives:

• During the 1988 coup attempt, India’s prompt action and help set the groundwork for the growth of trust and long-lasting, cordial bilateral relations with the Maldives. Promptly, the Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Cactus.
• India was the first country to help the Maldives in the wake of the 2004 tsunami and the December 2014 water crisis in Malé.
• India’s prompt delivery of 30,000 measles vaccination shots in January 2020 to stop an epidemic in the Maldives, along with its prompt and all-encompassing support for the Maldives during the Covid-19 pandemic, further cemented India’s reputation as the “first responder.”
• India as a Net Security Provider: India is regarded as a Net Security Provider, and its strategic relevance in the Maldives is widely acknowledged.
• In order to strengthen the defence collaboration, a detailed Action Plan for Defence was agreed in April 2016.
• Both nations are essential actors in ensuring the safety and security of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), thereby contributing to India-led Security And Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) vision.
• Joint Exercises “Ekuverin,” “Dosti,” “Ekatha,” and “Operation Shield” are among the areas in which defence cooperation is practiced.

Trade and Economic Relations:

The Economy of Tourism:

• With a roughly 11.8% market share in 2023, India topped the list of countries sending the most tourists to the Maldives (2,09,198).

Growth and Capability Building:

Projects related to infrastructure:

• The Greater Male Connectivity Project (GMCP), the largest infrastructure project in the Maldives, was contracted in August 2021 by Afcons, an Indian company.
• With the help of an Indian credit line, the Hanimaadhoo International Airport Development project would build a brand-new terminal that can accommodate 1.3 million travellers annually.

Programmes for Education:

• Around 70% of the Maldivian National Defence Force’s (MNDF) training needs are met by India, which offers the most training possibilities.

What are the Main Concerns in the Maldives-India Relationship?

The Maldives’ “India Out” campaign:

• By sowing doubt about India’s investments in the Maldives, the defence alliances between the two countries, and India’s security commitments in the area, the ‘India Out’ campaign aims to increase hostility.
• The recent election of the Maldivian government is strongly against the ‘India First’ strategy of the previous administration; in fact, one of Muizzu’s election programme items was the evacuation of Indian troops.

Security and Sovereignty Conundrum:

• The Maldives’ democracy is still in its infancy and is battling socio-political instability in the region that is influenced by powerful international entities.
• 2011 saw the establishment of the Trilateral Maritime Security Cooperation meeting involving Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and India.

Revocation of the Agreement for Hydrographic Survey:

• It is important to remember that hydrographic data is intrinsically dual in nature, with the ability to be utilised for both military and civilian objectives.
• Maldives is concerned that India’s hydrographic activities could be used for intelligence gathering.
• Indian strategic circles are concerned by the Maldives’ recent decision to withdraw their agreement with India for cooperative hydrographic surveys in their waters.

The Indian Ocean Region’s China Factor:

• A significant “pearl” in China’s “String of Pearls” metaphor for South Asia is now the Maldives.
• A Chinese plan to build a naval station in the Maldives is rumoured, and previous plans raised questions about possible military uses.
• The presence of Indian hydrographic ships in the region makes China’s oceanographic surveys in the waters of friendly South Asian nations possible flashpoints for confrontation.

What Path Should We Take Next?

Find and Grow India’s Tourism Destinations:

• Locations like Goa, Kerala, Lakshadweep, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands are among the potential travel choices.
• Create Tourism Facilities: Make investments in utilities, roads, and transportation infrastructure. To facilitate visitor access to the secret places, establish dependable connectivity.
• Routes covered by the Regional Connectivity Scheme – Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik (RCS-UDAN) ought to have better coverage and operations.

Follow in the Gujral Doctrine’s Footsteps:

• High-level Diplomatic Engagement: To address issues, develop trust, and promote open communication, give priority to frequent and fruitful diplomatic discussions.
• Building on the excellent parts of the Gujral Doctrine, India should keep advancing regional cooperation and alliances for the benefit of all parties involved.
• Political Engagement with Local People: The ‘India Out’ movement now enjoys the backing of a small number of people, but the Indian government cannot take this for granted.
• The capacity of a partner government to win over the people to its policies determines the strength of bilateral ties.
• Unwavering assistance for Capacity Building Programmes: India should, as a development partner, give the Maldives unwavering assistance in achieving their goals of regional democratic and independent institutions strengthening and broad-based socioeconomic growth.

Exercise Caution in Foreign Affairs:

• Avoid Needless Provocations: The debate urges smaller states like Maldives to show care in dealing with neighbours, as unnecessary provocations might have adverse effects.
• Inadvertent provocations may set off events that ultimately injure the smaller neighbour more severely.

The Agile Function of Social Media Champions:

• While it is important to recognise the important role social media warriors play in advancing national interests, it is ineffective to harass other nations, especially the Maldives.
• India’s diplomatic advantages could be lost as a result of such steps, favouring China.

Create a Comprehensive Plan to Counter China in the Indian Ocean:

• Maximise Maritime Security: India should contribute to the broader security framework in the Indian Ocean by taking part in initiatives to guarantee the security and freedom of navigation in important sea lanes.
• Maximise Resources: By actively taking part in humanitarian aid and disaster relief efforts, India should maintain its commitment to regional security. India may aggressively oppose Chinese aggression in the area by using QUAD.
• The Maldives should have enough room for Project Mausam to profit from it and increase its infrastructure and economic dependency on India.

Way Forward:

• Despite the controversy, building relations with New Delhi will always be a top priority for the Maldives due to India’s continued regional and geopolitical significance.
• Strengthening a mutually beneficial partnership requires a concerted synergy between the Maldives’ ‘India First’ strategy and India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy.