Maldives, an archipelago located south of India in the Indian Ocean, recently saw a Pro-China candidate ascend to its presidency. This development has triggered fresh concerns for India due to its strategic implications in the region. Particularly worrying is that Maldives, which shifted to a multi-party democracy in 2008, has never re-elected a sitting president since its transition.
India-Maldives Relations: A Historical Overview
The security partnership between India and Maldives spans joint exercises such as “Ekuverin”, “Dosti”, “Ekatha”, and “Operation Shield” that started in 2021. India largely caters to the Maldivian National Defence Force’s (MNDF) training needs, meeting approximately 70% of their total requirements.
For economic cooperation, India contributes significantly to the Maldivian economy – primarily through tourism. An Indian company, Afcons, marked a major milestone in August 2021 when it signed a contract for the Greater Male Connectivity Project (GMCP), the largest infrastructure project in the Maldives to date. However, the relationship experienced a setback when Maldives entered into a Free-Trade Agreement with China in 2017.
Infrastructure Projects and Development
The Hanimaadhoo International Airport Development project and the National College for Policing and Law Enforcement (NCPLE) are among key infrastructure projects undertaken by India in the Maldives. The Greater Male Connectivity Project aims to create a bridge and causeway link between Male and nearby islands, utilising renewable energy resources. Funded by a grant and Line of Credit (LOC) from India, the project stands as the biggest infrastructure initiative both India and Maldives have embarked upon.
India’s Operations in Maldives
India has carried out several notable operations in the Maldives, including Operation Cactus in 1988, Operation Neer in 2014, and Operation Sanjeevani, which supplied 6.2 tonnes of essential medicines to Maldives during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Impact of China on India-Maldives Relations
The involvement of China in the Indian Ocean region and its considerable infrastructure investments in Maldives have affected India-Maldives relations significantly. China’s role in developing ports, airports, and other vital infrastructures through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), known as the “String of the Pearls” initiative has realigned the traditional foreign policy trajectory of Maldives.
This shift has raised concerns in India about China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean countries like Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Maldives. In response, India has prioritised increasing diplomatic and strategic ties with these nations, providing economic aid, undertaking infrastructure projects, and enhancing defense cooperation.
Geographical Importance of Maldives
Strategically located in the Indian Ocean, Maldives lies along key maritime routes making it of significant interest to both India and China. Its geographical features primarily include coral reefs and atolls, and most of the area falls under Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). The island nation faces threats due to rising sea levels.
India’s Role and the Way Forward
To ensure regional security in South Asia and surrounding maritime boundaries, India must play a crucial part in the Indo-Pacific security space. This strategy is in response to the growth of extra-regional powers, particularly China, in India’s maritime sphere of influence. India should maintain its accommodative stance and promote multi-polar and rule-based world order with respect to its neighbors. Various initiatives and projects should provide sufficient space for Maldives to reap benefits and boost its economic and infrastructural reliance on India.
Last Modified: February 22, 2024