On India-Maldives Hydrography Pact – An ‘India out’ plan that could impact the Maldives

Source: This post on India-Maldives Hydrography Pact has been created based on the article “An ‘India out’ plan that could impact the Maldives” published in “The Hindu” on 3rd January 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 International Relations – India and its neighborhood-relations.

News: The article discusses the recent developments in India-Maldives ties, especially in the context of Maldives’ decision regarding joint hydrographic surveys.

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

The recent decision by the Maldives to revoke an agreement with India for joint hydrographic surveys in Maldivian waters has raised concerns. The pact was signed during India Prime Minister’s 2019 visit to the islands and was seen as a symbol of India-Maldives defence ties.

What are the recent developments in India-Maldives ties?

Since the election of Mohamed Muizzu as Maldivian President, there has been an attempt by Maldives to distance itself from India. This is suggested by steps such as:

1. Earlier, Maldives formally asked India to withdraw Indian military presence from its shores.
2. Maldives also skipped the latest meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave. This signalled its reservations about defence engagement with India.
3. It is expanding its relations with China. For instance, getting Indian hydrographic ships out of Maldivian waters can aid China’s marine surveys of the surrounding seas.

What is the importance of the hydrography pact?

Hydrographic data collected from the seas can be used for both civilian and military purposes.

1. Non-Military Objectives: This includes ensuring navigational safety, marine scientific research, and environmental monitoring.
2. Military Objectives: This includes surveillance of a nation’s vital coastal installations and war-fighting assets.

What are China’s interests in this hydrography pact?

1. Part of China’s Maritime Strategy: For China, marine surveys and reconnaissance are critical enablers of its maritime strategy in the far seas. To achieve this, it has a large oceanographic research programme, in which oceanographic research vessels (and intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance ships) are regularly deployed in the Indian Ocean.

For instance, China approached Sri Lanka and the Maldives many times last year to allow the docking of these research ships.

2. Applications in Anti-Submarine Warfare: China’s ocean surveys play an important part in enhancing China’s antisubmarine warfare capabilities. The mapping of the ocean’s temperature profile and the study of phenomena such as currents and eddies can improve sonar performance and detection of enemy submarines.
3. Cut Down Indian Presence: Indian Navy’s operations in the waters of Indian Ocean island states could interfere with China’s own marine survey efforts.

What are Maldives’ concerns with India’s hydrographic activity?

Maldives has apprehensions about India’s hydrographic activity being a form of intelligence collection.

These concerns arise because the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) does not explicitly authorise a coastal state to regulate hydrographic surveys or military surveys conducted beyond its territorial sea.

What should be the way forward for Maldives?

The Indian Navy has an exemplary track record of hydrographic surveys in their neighbourhood. For instance, it has rendered hydrographic assistance to Mauritius since the 1990s, charting the vast Mauritian EEZs and helping build capacity.

Considering all this, according to the author, Maldives must recognise that it is not India but China that seeks to weaponize ocean surveys. A partnership with India is the best option for Maldives to enhance maritime awareness and security.

Question for practice:

China’s growing influence in India’s neighbourhood is a threat to India’s aspirations as a strong regional power. Explain in the context of India-Maldives relations.