Answer:

Introduction:

India’s diplomatic strategy towards the Maldives, amidst rising anti-Indian rhetoric and the island nation’s closer ties with China, showcases strategic patience and accommodation. Following the election of President Mohamed Muizzu, known for his “India Out” campaign, India has maintained a path of engagement and cooperation to uphold regional stability​.

Body:

Analysing India’s Policy of Accommodation

• Diplomatic Engagement:
  • Swift Diplomatic Moves: Following the election of President Muizzu, India quickly engaged with the new administration, emphasising dialogue and cooperation over confrontation. This included the suspension of Maldivian officials who made anti-Indian comments, signalling a willingness to mend ties​.
  • High-Level Visits: Indian officials, including the External Affairs Minister, have made multiple visits to the Maldives to ensure continuous engagement and dialogue, fostering a cooperative bilateral relationship.
• Economic and Developmental Support:
  • Greater Malé Connectivity Project: India is funding the $500 million infrastructure project, which aims to enhance connectivity and economic integration within the Maldives. This project underscores India’s commitment to the island nation’s development, countering Chinese infrastructure investments.
  • Healthcare Initiatives: India has contributed significantly to the Maldives’ healthcare sector, including the development of the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital and other health facilities, which foster goodwill and mutual dependence.
• Security Cooperation:
  • Maritime Security: Despite calls for the removal of Indian military personnel, India continues to provide critical maritime security assistance. This includes joint military exercises like “Ekuverin,” enhancing the Maldives’ defence capabilities against common threats​.
  • Surveillance and Intelligence Sharing: India has installed a coastal radar system in the Maldives, which is integrated with India’s coastal surveillance network, enhancing maritime domain awareness and security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
• Tourism and Cultural Exchange:
  • Tourism Support: With India being a major source of tourists for the Maldives, economic interdependence in tourism remains strong. This is crucial for the Maldivian economy, which is heavily reliant on tourism​.
  • Cultural Linkages: India and the Maldives share deep cultural and historical ties, with initiatives to strengthen these connections through educational exchanges and cultural programs.

India’s Broader Strategic Objectives in the Indo-Pacific

• Countering Chinese Influence:
  • Strategic Infrastructure Investments: By funding key infrastructure projects, India aims to counterbalance China’s Belt and Road Initiative, preventing potential debt-trap scenarios that could compromise the Maldives’ sovereignty​.
  • Maintaining Regional Dominance: India’s strategic investments in the Maldives help bolster naval power and form strategic alliances to ensure freedom of navigation and counterbalance regional power dynamics, securing its dominance in the IOR, a critical region for maritime trade routes​.
• Ensuring Regional Stability:
  • Neighborhood First Policy: India’s approach to the Maldives is a testament to its broader “Neighborhood First” policy, which prioritises fostering stable, friendly relations with neighbouring countries to ensure regional stability.
  • Multipolar Diplomacy: India’s accommodative stance reflects its understanding of the multipolar dynamics in the Indo-Pacific, where balancing relationships with small but strategically important nations like the Maldives is crucial.
• Strengthening Security Frameworks:
  • Maritime Security Partnerships: By maintaining a strategic presence in the Maldives and conducting joint exercises, India aims to bolster its security frameworks in the region, ensuring a secure maritime environment in the IOR​.
  • First Responder Role: India’s role as a first responder during crises, such as the 2004 tsunami and the 2014 water crisis in Malé, enhances its reputation as a reliable partner, which is vital for regional security collaborations.

Conclusion:

India’s accommodative policy towards the Maldives is crucial for maintaining its influence in the Indo-Pacific region. This approach, marked by diplomatic engagement, economic support, and security cooperation, aims to counterbalance China’s influence while promoting regional stability and security. Moving forward, India should continue to leverage its strategic partnerships and economic initiatives to ensure a balanced and stable regional environment.