Recently, President Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives was one of seven neighboring leaders who attended Indian Prime Minister’s wearing-in ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Significance of Maldives President Visit in India

• Geostrategic Importance: The Maldives is a crucial part of India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision.
• Geopolitical Dynamics: China’s ‘Belt and Road’ Initiative (BRI), which includes the Maldives, has expanded China’s influence in the region, potentially challenging India’s strategic interests.
• Geoeconomic Significance: Approximately 50% of India’s external trade and 80% of its energy imports pass through sea lanes near the Maldives, underscoring its critical role in India’s maritime economy.
• Security Role: The Maldives acts as a strategic ‘toll gate’ between the western and eastern Indian Ocean, enhancing its importance as a net security provider for India.
• Regional Cooperation: India and the Maldives engage in regional cooperation through platforms such as SAARC, SASEC, IORA, and IONS.

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Significance of India for the Maldives

• Defense and Security Cooperation: India is a vital security partner for the Maldives, addressing its maritime surveillance needs.
  • India provides 70% of the Maldivian National Defence Force’s (MNDF) training and engages in joint exercises like Ekuverin and Ekatha, as well as disaster management initiatives.
  • The Indian Army played a crucial role in thwarting an attempted coup in Malé in 1988. “Across party lines in the Maldives, they don’t criticize this operation.
• Trade Relations: India is the Maldives’ largest trade partner, leading export destination, and a traditional donor. 
  • It is heavily dependent on Indian imports in almost all important sectors, from food to life-saving medicines, and aircraft used in search and rescue missions.
• Infrastructure and Development: India is actively involved in numerous infrastructure projects in the Maldives, including airports at Hanimaadhoo and Gan Island, and the development of Gulhifalhu Port. 
• • Current project is the Greater Male Connectivity Project, with India providing $500 million in funding.
• Capacity Building: India has allocated Rs 52 crore for the enhancement of Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital and facilitated the establishment of a cutting-edge cancer facility that will link over 150 health centers across various islands. 
  • In the education sector, India established a technical education institute in 1996 and initiated a program to train Maldivian teachers and youth, along with vocational training, in a project worth USD 5.3 million.

Recent Challenges in India Maldives Relations

• Security Concerns: The current Maldivian government has accused India of infringing on the country’s sovereignty and demanded the removal of Indian troops as part of the ‘India out’ campaign. 
  • Additionally, Male was notably absent from the Colombo Security Conclave meeting in December 2023.
• Shifting Priorities: In Maldives, public opinion is split between two perspectives: the ‘India out’ campaign and the ‘India first’ campaign, championed by former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
  • For instance, newly-elected President Mohamed Muizzu departed from tradition by making Turkey his first bilateral visit, followed by China, instead of visiting India first
• Muizzu’s pro-China tilt: Like his mentor, former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, under whose rule (2013-18) the India-Maldives relationship deteriorated severely, Muizzu has openly aligned his country with China.
• Impact of Maldives’ Domestic Politics: Relations between Maldives and India have been strained since President Muizzu assumed power, with deliberate efforts by Male to create distance from New Delhi. 
  • For example, the termination of the hydrography pact by Maldives can be interpreted as a move to distance itself from India.
• Lakshadweep Controversy:The controversy arose when three Maldivian deputy ministers made derogatory comments about India and the Prime Minister following his visit to Lakshadweep.
  • They claimed the visit aimed to challenge Maldivian tourism, renowned for its beachside amenities.
• Diplomatic Turmoil: Under President Muizzu, the Maldives faces a diplomatic crisis. Balancing between India and China has become challenging, leading to tensions. 
  • For example, the Maldivian envoy to India was summoned by the external affairs ministry due to derogatory comments made by Maldivian leaders about India’s PM.
• Growing Chinese Influence: President Muizzu’s visit to China ahead of India has stirred concerns, hinting at a possible shift towards favoring China. 
  • China views the Maldives as vital to its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and is actively engaging in infrastructure projects in the region to bolster its presence.
• Supporting Extremists: Maldivians’ increasing involvement with groups like IS and LeT has sparked worries about radicalization. 
  • These groups have exploited charity organizations in the Maldives after the 2004 tsunami. An attack on an Indian embassy’s Yoga event in 2022 underscores this issue.

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