India-Maldives Bilateral Relations, The Hindu Editorial Analysis

India-Maldives Bilateral Relations: Maldives’ proximity to the west coast of India (barely 70 nautical miles away from Minicoy and 300 nautical miles away from India’s West coast), and its situation at the hub of commercial sea-lanes running through Indian Ocean (particularly the 8° N and 1 ½° N channels) imbues it with significant strategic importance to India.

India- Maldives Relations

What Is The Issue?

• In Maldives, former President Abdulla Yameen has been sentenced to 11 years in prison after being found guilty of money laundering and bribery.
• Yameen was accused of abusing his position and taking one million US Dollar from a private company to facilitate the sale of Aarah for resort development.
• Yameen, who lost power in 2018, was sentenced to five years in jail and fined 5 million dollars in 2019 for embezzlement in state funds.
• After his sentencing, Yameen was shifted to house arrest in 2020 but was freed months later. Since his release, the former President has returned to active politics.

Yameen Had A Rough Relationship With India

•  Mr. Yameen has had a rough relationship with India during his presidential term after he declared an emergency in the island state.
• As opposition leader he has spearheaded the “India Out” campaign, and has been unrepentant despite the latest verdict, trying to link his incarceration to pressure from India.

What Is India Out campaign?

• • “India Out” is a slogan coined two years ago by protesters who claimed that the MDP government in Maldives, led by President Ibrahim Solih, had “sold out” the Maldives to India.
  • The protesters claim that due to the pro-India policies of the present Government, India has sent a large military contingent to Maldives.
  • Attention has focused particularly on the co-operation between the two sides to develop a harbour on the Uthuru Thilafalhu (UTF) atoll for the Maldivian coast Guard.
  • The present Maldivian government has said there are no Indian military personnel in the Maldives other than a maintenance and flight crew operating three Dornier aircraft used for surveillance, and for rescue and air ambulance operations.

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Brief History of India-Maldives Bilateral Relations

• India and Maldives share ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious and commercial links steeped in antiquity. The relations have been close, cordial and multi-dimensional. India was among the first to recognize Maldives after its independence in 1965 and to establish diplomatic relations with the country.
• Pre-Eminent Position: India has a pre-eminent position in the Maldives, with relations extending to virtually most areas. The importance of India’s strategic role in Maldives is well-recognized, with India being seen as a net security provider. ‘India First’ has been a stated policy of the Government of Maldives (GoM).
• No Politically Contentious Issues: India’s relationship with the Maldives is free of any politically contentious issues. The one-time claim of Maldives to Minicoy Island was resolved by the Maritime Boundary Treaty of 1976 between the two countries, whereby Maldives has recognized Minicoy as an integral part of India.

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Significance Of India-Maldives Relations For the Indian Ocean Region

• India and Maldives share a deep and abiding friendship. It is also a partnership of great consequence and a real force of stability and prosperity for the Indian Ocean Region.
• India is considered a “net security provider” by the Maldives.
• India-Maldives relations have been described as “close, cordial and multi‐dimensional”.
• Maldives occupies a very special place in the ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision of the Government of India.
• Notably, India’s relationship with the Maldives is free of contentious issues.
• Proximity with India is a big advantage for the Maldives as evident in how Indian help quickly reached the atoll-State during the 1988 coup attempt, the 2004 tsunami, the 2014 water crisis, and 2020-21 pandemic.

India’s Stake In Maldives

• India’s infrastructure aid, credit lines, loans and commissioning of various projects (Greater Male Connectivity Project, Hanimaadhoo airport, Hulhumale cricket stadium, Gulhifalhu port).
• In addition, close ties and high-level military exchanges since 2018.

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What India Need To Do After Yameen’s  Conviction?

Given the inimical relationship, as well as Mr. Yameen’s past close links with China, there may be some relief in South Block over the possibility of Mr. Yameen’s disqualification. But, India is not an opportunist rather it need to be:

• Be Careful: The Government needs to tread carefully when it comes to the domestic politics roiling its close maritime neighbour.
• Be Alert: While Mr. Yameen may not be allowed to run in the next election, this might make space for even more radical elements in the opposition combine.
• Be Watchful: New Delhi must keep a close watch on other parts of Maldivian politics, including the rift between India’s closest friends there, President Solih and former President Nasheed, who is threatening to split the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party.
• Be Friendly: Despite having obvious favourites in the polity, New Delhi must actively project the image of the friendly and helpful neighbour without explicitly seeking to sway next year’s election in any direction.

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