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| Image Credits- VOA |
I have been away from active blogging for the last few months and had not written any blog. In the meantime, the world has changed considerably. North Korea- South Korea in the path of reconciliation. Many things have changed. But today I intend to deal with a particularly troubling relationship between two close allies at one time, that is India and Maldives.
Maldives is an island nation in the Indian Ocean. It is lies adjacent to the Indian territory of The Lakshadweep Islands. India and Maldives established bilateral relations in the year of 1966. Since then the relationship has grown by leaps and bounds. The high point of the relationship was "Operation Cactus" when India militarily intervened to save Maldives from invading Tamil militants from Srilanka. India has been the main provider of aid and assistance to Maldives for many years. That is until Maldives started tilting to China. China sees Maldives as the main cog in it's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) that connects China to Europe and Africa, thereby extending it's influence. China has also invested heavily in Maldives. It has also outpaced India in investment.
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| Image credits- VOA |
The first indication of the Chinese influence came when Maldives cancelled a contract for development of an airport by an Indian company. From then on the relationship has constantly deteriorated. India also had defence detachments in Maldives including helicopters which Maldives has asked to be withdrawn. Maldives has also enhanced relationship with Pakistan which is India's rival. The present government has also repressed democracy by putting major opposition leaders and even supreme court judges in jail. India has strongly condemned this move along with the USA and other countries.
Importance of Maldives
Indian Ocean has generally been India's sphere of influence with a dominant Indian presence in the region. Maldives sits strategically in the Indian Ocean through which the major part of international trade passes. Any country which has influence and presence in that country can keep a watch and even control this major trade route. Further Maldives sits right near major naval bases of India and that of USA namely Diego Garcia. Thus any Chinese foothold in Maldives will not only affect India's strategic interest but also that of USA and other countries.
The Way Forward
Of course, a country has the right to decide with whom they need to keep the relationship. But when it comes to national security, India will need to take a tough line and make Maldives understand that any challenge or threat to India's strategic and national interest will not be acceptable. India should make Maldives understand that they will have to pay a prohibitively costly price if they try to act in any way that may in anyway bring about a threat to India's interest. It is time India took a stand on this issue.
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