GS Paper 2
Syllabus: International Relations
Source: TH
Context: President-elect Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives has made it clear that he wishes to remove Indian troops from the country while safeguarding the Maldives’ independence and sovereignty.
Political System in Maldives:
Historically, Maldives had an Executive Presidency system, transitioning to a multi-party democracy in 2008. No incumbent president has been re-elected since then. Maldives uses a two-round electoral system similar to France, requiring a candidate to secure more than 50% of votes in the second round if no one achieves it in the first.
Background of the Issue?
| Aspect | Details |
| Historical Tensions | Prior to President Solih’s term, political and diplomatic tensions existed between the Maldives and India, especially during Abdulla Yameen’s presidency (2013-2018). Yameen’s pro-China orientation strained relations with India. |
| India’s Military Presence | During Yameen’s presidency, the Maldives requested the return of Indian-gifted helicopters, indicating a desire to reduce Indian military presence in the country. |
| Political Opposition | The ‘India Out’ campaign was launched by the political opposition, particularly those who opposed President Solih’s alignment (India First Policy) with India. It aimed to rally against what they saw as a pro-India foreign policy and gain support from segments critical of Indian involvement. |
| Geopolitical Rivalry | The broader context of the campaign was the geopolitical rivalry between India and China in the Indian Ocean region. International media framed the Maldives’ elections as a referendum on India and China, with a focus on how the incoming president would position the country in this rivalry. |
India’s current presence in Maldives:
Currently, 75 Indian military personnel are in the Maldives to maintain and operate Dornier aircraft and helicopters gifted by India. These assets have been in the Maldives for over a decade, serving various functions.
India’s interests in Maldives:
In the past four years, India has emerged as the Maldives’ main security and economic partner, committing over $1 billion towards the socio-economic development needs of Maldivians.
India’s interests in the Maldives are tied to its security concerns regarding China’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean region, and the Maldives is part of the ‘Colombo Security Conclave’ for regional maritime cooperation. India’s national security is closely linked to its collective security efforts in the region, as emphasized by National Security Adviser Ajit K. Doval.
Challenges in India-Maldives relations:
- Political Instability: For instance, the arrest of Maldives’ opposition leader Mohamed Nasheed in 2015 and the subsequent political crisis strained India’s relationship with Maldives.
- Radicalisation: The increasing number of Maldivians being drawn towards terrorist groups like the Islamic State (IS) and Pakistan-based jihadist groups is a concern for India.
- China’s Strategic Presence: China’s increasing strategic presence in Maldives is a challenge for India. The Maldives has emerged as an important ‘pearl’ in China’s “String of Pearls” construct in South Asia, which is a concern for India’s security.
- China’s dominance: In 2018, Maldives cancelled an agreement with India to develop a key naval base on the island of Marao.The move was seen as a result of China’s growing influence in the Maldives.
- Political actions: Maldives cancelled a $511 million contract awarded to Indian company GMR to develop Male International Airport in 2012, which strained the relationship between the two countries.
- Domestic Politics: The India Out campaign in Maldives, which seeks to create anti-India sentiments among the people of Maldives
Conclusion:
India needs to play a crucial role in ensuring regional security in South Asia and surrounding maritime boundaries by actively participating in the Indo-Pacific security space. India should adhere to its tradition of promoting a multi-polar and rule-based global order with its neighbours, adopting an accommodative stance
About Maldives:
It is strategically located at vital sea lanes, facilitating maritime trade between the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Hormuz, and the Strait of Malacca. The physical geography includes coral reefs, atolls, and a large Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Rising sea levels pose a threat to this low-lying archipelago, and it’s separated from India’s Minicoy by the Eight Degree Channel.
Insta Links
Mains Links
Discuss the political developments in the Maldives in the last two years. Should they be of any cause for concern to India? ( UPSC 2013)
Prelims Links:
Which one of the following pairs of islands is separated from each other by the ‘Ten Degree Channel’? (UPSC 2014)
(a) Andaman and Nicobar
(b) Nicobar and Sumatra
(c) Maldives and Lakshadweep
(d) Sumatra and Java
Ans: A
