India-Maldives Relations

Relations between India and Maldives have been traditionally close and friendly and India has contributed to security, economy and democracy of the Island nation. The two countries had defined their maritime boundary in 1976. They signed a comprehensive trade agreement in 1981.

India has traditionally provided development assistance to Maldives; and India was the first country to rush relief and aid to Maldives in the aftermath of Indian Ocean Tsunami, 2004. Further, Indians are second largest expatriate community in the Maldives with a total strength of around 28000. The Indian expatriate community consists of doctors, nurses, technicians, teachers, construction workers, tailors, etc. spread all over the country. Of the country’s approximately 400 doctors, over 125 are Indians. Similarly around 25% of teachers in Maldives are Indians, mostly at middle and senior levels.

Major issues with respect to India and Maldives are as follows:

Increased Islamic Radicalism in Maldives

Despite being a 100% Sunni nation, Maldives was not affected by Islamic terrorism until recent past. However, in last few years, the increasing number of Maldivians has been drawn towards the jihadist doctrine. The organizations such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) have established foothold in the southern part of Maldives in the guise of humanitarian support agencies in the aftermath of 2004 Tsunami. Similarly, Jamaat-ul-Muslimeen, which was behind Male attacks in 2007 had links with the LeT. Around 50 youths from Maldives have also joined the ISIS. Some of the Indian radicals have also moved to Maldives and all this indicates a terror time bomb in Maldives which is a worry for India as well as entire South Asia / Indian Ocean region.

There are several concerns of India from Maldives based jihadi groups. Firstly, Maldives is 100% Sunni country and its close to 4 Lakh population is spread in 1192 small islands; thus hiding and anonymity is not a major issue. Secondly,  Maldives is not much far from India’s southern coast, and due to this, it may serve as an ideal launch pad for terrorists. Thirdly, some of the isolated islands of Maldives can be used as store houses for weapons and explosives.

Cooperation in Counter-terrorism

Maldives is aware of its vulnerability to terror groups and has frequently asked India’s assistance. In August 2016, India’s chief of National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) had also visited Maldives on the later’s request for intelligence sharing, capacity building and skill development. Further, the two countries have already signed a Defence Action Plan during 2016 visit of Abdulla Yameen. Cooperation in counter terrorism is one of key component of the pact.

GMR Issue

In 2010, when Male terminated the agreement it entered with India-based GMR Group of Companies (a global infrastructure developer and operator) for the modernisation of the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport, it strained the bilateral relationship between India and Maldives. The airport was taken over by the Maldives Airports Company Limited after a high-voltage legal tussle with GMR. Later, the airport expansion project was handed over to the Chinese company which led the GMR Group to sue Maldives in arbitration tribunal in Singapore. Maldives is yet to pay the quantum of damages to GMR as announced by the arbitration tribunal in Singapore.

Increased Chinese Engagement

China’s assertive domination and rising influence in Indian Ocean Region is well-known. Being an island nation state, Maldives is the prime destination in Chinese engagement in IOR. As per media sources, China was looking to establish a base in Maldives after leasing out one of the islands under the liberalised leasing scheme brought in by the Yameen Government.

Like in other South Asian nations, China is also putting in a considerable investment in Maldives to attain its strategic goals. China’s assistance to Maldives for infrastructure and developmental projects in the latter is a case in point. China is assisting in building a bridge between the island in which the airport is located, Hulhumale, and the Capital island, Male, which is about 10 minutes by a passenger ferry.

Maldives is now also part of China’s Maritime Silk Road project. China accounts for about one-third of tourist arrivals and is also actively investing in infrastructure construction in the tourist sector in the Maldives. Analysts point out that this engagement could culminate in a Chinese naval presence in Maldives.

The passage of a controversial land acquisition law by Maldivian Parliament in 2015 that allowed foreigners who invested more than $1 billion to own land in perpetuity, provided 70% of it is reclaimed from the Indian Ocean, hampers relations with India.

Maldives, has, however, repeatedly clarified that China policy does not interfere with or diminish the country’s “special relationship” with India. New Delhi’s present focus on setting the home and enduring neighbourhood first approach is going to restore its required relationship with Maldives in the times to come provided a congenial political ambience prevail in the island nation and New Delhi’s craftsmanship in handling inter-regional issues in this part of the world.

Static Significance of Maldives

Significance of Maldives for India and other powers is because of its crucial strategic location in the Indian Ocean along the major sea lanes of communications (SLOCs). Due to the significant strategic location, Maldives has aroused interests of world powers. The global powers have tried to intervene into the domestic polity of Maldives to bring in power the favourable dispensation.

In fine, at present India is largely engaged in its neighbourhood to restore its hegemony in Asia, most especially in South Asian region. It’s recent ‘neighbourhood first’ policy and renovated ‘Act East’ policy are indicative of India’s intention in this regard. India is considerate to each of its neighbours irrespective of their size, economy and geopolitical significance. India is a great votary of democracy and its effort for restoring democracy in its neighbourhood is well-known. Despite Chinese domination in South Asian and Indian Ocean regions, India has retained its big brotherly position among the neighbouring countries by fostering friendly and constructive relationship with most of them. Maldives, an archipelago nation situated in the Indian Ocean is no exception to it.