- People closely following the fortunes of the geopolitical and geostrategic scenario would have noticed how the Maldivian leadership – especially the incumbent President Mohammed Muizzu – stirred a hornet’s nest by harking on the foreign occupation – read as India – to whip up emotions aimed at the domestic electorate. The narrative was not to the liking of the Indian leadership even as the government authorities kept a silent watch on the unfolding events in the archipelago. Remember, when the Indian Prime Minister visited Lakshadweep and sat on the verdant beech of the region, the internet, and social media were agog with how local tourism should be encouraged rather than have people visit Maldivian shores. Tourism in Maldives was hugely affected.
PC: Global Times
- Due credit should accrue to Indian diplomacy for navigating through some rough weather to arrive at a situation that is witnessing a thaw in the ruffled relationship between the two countries. Mind you, despite occasional differences, India and Maldives need each other. Thus, Muizzu’s recent visit brings ties back on an even keel. With Maldivian Prez making his first state visit to India, New Delhi-Male ties are clearly on the mend. Contrast this with the situation at the beginning of the year when Muizzu declined to make India his first port of call after assuming the presidency, undertook a state visit to China, inked a defence cooperation pact with Beijing, and demanded that New Delhi pull out its small contingent of troops in the archipelago nation.
- The reality is both countries need each other irrespective of differences of opinion on certain issues. No country can escape geography, and this certainly holds true for both India and Maldives. India will always remain Maldives’s closest, large Indian Ocean neighbour and first responder in all crises. China simply can’t be a replacement here given its physical distance from the region. Therefore, New Delhi – which also needs Male for better strategic depth in the Indian Ocean Region – and Male have no option but to enhance their cooperative relationship. True, Muizzu had campaigned on an India Out plank during his election. But fighting elections outside government and running a country are two different things. It’s dawning on the leader now.
PC: The Citizen
- India complied with Muizzu’s request to withdraw Indian troops and replaced them with civilians. This was smart on New Delhi’s part given the sensitivity of the issue for Maldivians. Besides, ties between big and small countries will always see the latter try to get the best deal for themselves. This is where China comes in for the Maldives. Male wants to diversify its foreign relations to not be dependent on a single country. New Delhi should be fine with this. Yes, India has always stood by the Maldives, be it thwarting the coup attempt in the archipelago nation in 1988 or providing Male with emergency drinking water in 2014, or for that matter financial assistance. New Delhi-Male relations have once again found equilibrium. It should be sustained going forward.
