India and Maldives relations, after Muizzu’s re-election

Source: This post India and Maldives relations, after Muizzu’s re-election is created based on the article ‘Muizzu’s win, India’s pragmatism’, published in Indian Express on 23^rd April 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic – GS paper 2 – International Relations – India and its neighborhood

News: Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has won the recent elections, with huge number of seats. It will provide him with the power to make all the major legal and legislative changes.

What anti-India steps have been taken by Muizzu?

One of the pillars of Muizzu’s politics is an anti-India stance.

First, he campaigned on an “India Out” theme, asked for withdrawal of Indian troops,

Second, he scrapped agreements allowing Indian hydrographic surveys by India.

Third, he has drawn Maldives closer to China, by giving them infrastructure projects.

However, the parliamentary elections were fought on domestic issues like corruption, economy, housing, jobs and shifting political alliances rather than foreign policy issues. Therefore, it should not be taken as a country’s stand.

What has been India’s approach to Muizzu’s anti-India Stance?

First, India has done well not to overreact to Maldives’ attempts to distance itself and treat it with a soft approach, recognizing a neighbour’s domestic politics is their own affair.

Second, Maldives is an important part of India’s Neighbourhood First and SAGAR policies. Given Maldives’ proximity and importance, India must continue engaging with the country no matter the government to make bilateral ties “politics proof” in the long run.