Diplomatic tensions surge as the Maldives Govt tilts towards China
In the shifting sands of diplomacy, it is not often that a beautiful postcard picture taken in the backdrop of a blue ocean lined with palm groves creates a tsunami of ultra-nationalist emotions or emoticons clashing between two nations. The postcard in question was shared by Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi when he got to spend some time on the pristine beaches of Lakshadweep islands. This prompted a couple of junior ministers in Maldives to troll the Indian PM on social media, with language which could be considered to be abusive depending on the sensibilities. The junior ministers were promptly sacked and the Maldives Envoy in India was summoned by the Ministry of External Affairs.
However, what brewed in the background was a huge wave of Boycott Maldives, trends by an army of Indian social media surfers. Some celebrities who had recently vacationed in the Maldives during the holiday season joined the chorus adding weight to anti-Maldives trends on social media. It is a different aspect that not many social media surfers have ever dreamt of going to Maldives or are even aware of the capital of Lakshadweep.
What this brief exchange of unpleasantries exposed was the decline in the relationship between India and Maldives especially after Maldivian president Mohammed Muizzu took charge. Mr Muizzu is considered to be pro-China and has largely been part of the India Out campaign for over a decade. India has as, the closest neighbour to Maldives, separated by just 70 nautical, been one of the first responders to any distress for this archipelagic nation. India has for several decades maintained warm relations with Maldives cooperating and helping in the Defence, infrastructure, education and healthcare sectors. The defence sector cooperation is crucial as according to the Ministry of External Affairs, India provides nearly seventy per cent of defence training requirements for the Maldivian National Defence Force.
In a world where almost every economic asset of a nation, including scenic natural tourist spots is being weaponised, a strategic balance is required with neighbours. India is one of the biggest contributors to the Maldives tourism economy, where well-heeled Indians prefer to spend their vacations. However, the current Maldivian president has been insistent on throwing away a few Indian defence force personnel stationed in Maldives. While this may be a strategic setback for India, it will equally hurt Maldives, as it rushes in the Chinese Dragon’s firewall.
He hailed China as the most valued ally. One of the press releases from the President’s office stated “ Dr Muizzu emphasised the prominence of his visit to China, as it is his first state visit to a foreign nation. Reflecting on the long-standing and fruitful government-to-government and business-to-business cooperation between the two countries, the President expressed his delight at the strong presence of both Chinese and Maldivian businesses at the forum. He stated that China remains one of the closest allies and developmental partners of Maldives. He also noted that the Maldives became a party to H.E. President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road Initiative in 2014, which helped infrastructure projects in the Maldives.
President Dr Muizzu highlighted his vision for the expansion of the central airport and commercial port, emphasising that the Government is keen to explore partnerships under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.The President also highlighted the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed between China and the Maldives, citing that the FTA would boost bilateral trade and investments, particularly by increasing the export of fish products to China, marking it as a key priority explored within the FTA.” Maldives is trying to shift from India First to China First policy, a reversal from the earlier regimes. However, India has to patiently manoeuvre around the firewall and wait for the Maldives to come back as a close ally.
(The writer is a policy analyst, views are personal)
