India-Maldives Relations

Source-This post on India-Maldives Relations has been created based on the article “India can’t risk slackening in the Indian Ocean Region” published in “Live Mint” on 17 April 2024.

UPSC Syllabus–GS Paper-2-International relations- India and its Neighborhood- Relations.

News-India has recently hosted the new Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameerm amid domestic elections. This highlights the strategic importance of the Maldives in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and India’s commitment to maintaining bilateral ties. India-Maldives Relations

What are some of the issues in India-Maldives relations?

1) China’s influence in Maldives-

A) President Mohamed Muizzu’s strong allegiance to China has strained relations between India and the Maldives. This is further aggravated by Muizzu’s demand for India to replace its military personnel stationed in the Maldives.

B) Political leaders in island states often play India and China against each other for leverage.

C) Maldives has not renewed a hydrography agreement with India.However,it has signed a defense pact with China that includes training the Maldivian National Defense Forces (MNDF) and supply of non-lethal defense equipment.

2) Sovereignty Agenda -Muizzu has attained power by promoting an “India Out” agenda, highlighting concerns regarding sovereignty.

A detailed article on India-Maldives relations can be read here.

 What are the steps taken by India to address these issues?

1) Financial Assistance to Sri Lanka -India has extended financial aid to Sri Lanka during its economic downturn. Additionally, India has received approval to develop the strategically situated Kankesanthura port in northern Sri Lanka. Furthermore, an Indo-Russian joint venture recently won the contract to operate the Mattala airport.

2) SAGAR Policy-India’s Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) policy is designed to caution Indian Ocean Region (IOR) nations about the risks of Chinese debt traps. For ex- the largest bilateral debt of the island nation is with China, totaling $7 billion, whereas its debt to India stands at $1 billion.

3) Bolstering Naval Presence-India has increased naval deployments, joint patrols, and surveillance of EEZs of countries like the Maldives and Seychelles.

4) Upgradation of Infrastructure-India has commissioned INS Jatayu naval base in Lakshadweep and upgraded facilities in Mauritius’s Agaléga islands.

Question for practice

What are the key challenges in the relationship between India and the Maldives? What measures has India implemented to tackle these challenges?