Quiet diplomacy with Maldives paying off
It seems India’s quiet diplomacy with Maldives has started paying off as for the first time since his assumption of the Presidency in October 2013, Maldives President Abdullah Yameen Abdul Gayoom has spoken favourably on India’s contribution in safeguarding Maldives’ interest and providing “crucial” assistance to the island nation.
Speaking at a function in N.landhoo on Wednesday, Yameen said that had India not extended assistance to it during the past 50 years, Maldives would have lost its independence by now.
He maintained that regardless of the Government in power, India has continued to provide assistance to the Government of Maldives. “As everyone will be aware, India provides assistance even for our basic needs. India provided crucial and speedy assistance during the most sensitive situation, 1988 terrorist attack (by Tamil Tigers). At that most critical instance, it is to be acknowledged that India’s aid was swift, yet invaluable. If they had not come to our rescue, we would have lost independence during the past 50 years… Indo-Maldives is an unbreakable bond,” Yameen said, something that none of his predecessors had done so far.
Yameen’s statement can be seen as a path-breaking movement in Indo-Maldives relationship given the fact that the present leadership in Male is perceived to be cosying up to China. However, the current overtures have indication of a realisation in Maldives’ leadership about the futility of distancing with India which has been a “time-tested friend” of the island country.
From turmeric to painkillers, Maldives is heavily dependent on India for all its basic needs. last year, India rushed thousands of gallons of drinking water to Maldives within 24 hours to overcome a crisis caused by fire in its water purifying plant.
Having its own share of ups and downs, India-Maldives relationship was put to test when former President Mohammad Nasheed, fearing arrest, walked into Indian embassy in Male to take refuge in February 2013. Nasheed was facing charges of using Army to illegally detain a High Court judge. He later walked out following an agreement brokered by India between Nasheed’s Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) and the Yameen Government. However, Nasheed was arrested in February this year under an anti-terror law for treason and was punished with a 13-year jail term.
Ever since Nasheed’s arrest, there was immense pressure on India by his party MDP to intervene and broker his release. However, India remained non-interfering in Maldives’ internal politics and possibly this helped build bridges with Yameen.
The trust is only building up further as Yameen has highlighted that his Government is currently undertaking efforts to strengthen ties with India. His Government is now actively working to schedule Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s early visit to the nation.
Maldives is also looking to welcome Indian businesses and investment. In this context, Yameen clarified that the controversy relating to GMR company and Maldives authorities by no way should be perceived as tension or cause of friction between the two Governments. “India and Maldives have a strong bond. And although there were some tensions due to the issue regarding GMR company and the airport, it did not shake up the bond at all,” Yameen said.
The Maldives Government recently ratified the Constitu-tional Amendment to allow foreign ownership of its islands, a move that could benefit countries like China trying to set up base in the Indian Ocean.
However, allaying India’s concerns that it will impact its strategic interests, Maldivian Vice-President Ahmed Adeeb has made it clear, “Our sovereignty is not on offer. We don’t want to give any of our neighbours, including India, any cause for concern. We don’t want to be in a position when we become a threat to our neighbours.” Such words are definitely music to India’s ears.