• UGI USER
  • Apr 26, 2024
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STABILITY IN MALDIVES INDIA SHOULD NOT ALLOW MUIZZU’S WIN TO AFFECT TIES BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES

Syllabus:

GS-II:

India and its Neighborhood- Relations.

Why in the news?

Maldives parliamentary elections see President Muizzu’s party win a super-majority, signalling potential shifts in foreign policy and regional dynamics.

source:brainkart

About the Maldives Parliamentary Elections:

  • Maldives President Mohammad Muizzu’s party, the PNC, secured a “super-majority” in the recent parliamentary elections.
  • President Mohammad Muizzu’s party, the PNC, secured a significant victory in the recent parliamentary elections in the
  • The PNC’s dominance, with over 70 seats out of 93 in the People’s Majlis, gives Muizzu considerable legislative power.
  • Muizzu’s approach to governance and foreign relations, particularly his distancing from India, has drawn attention.
  • The opposition, led by the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), perceived as “pro-India,” won only 12 seats, while parties associated with former Presidents Abdullah Yameen and Mohammad Nasheed failed to secure any seats
Understanding the Key Features about Maldives:

  • Strategic location: Maldives sits at crucial sea lanes connecting the Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Hormuz, and the Strait of Malacca.
  • Physical geography: Dominated by coral reefs, atolls, and EEZs.
  • Vulnerability to rising sea levels: Threatened due to climate change.
  • Chinese investment: Significant projects funded by China under the Belt and Road Initiative.
  • Eight Degree Channel: Separates Indian Minicoy from Maldives, impacting regional dynamics.

What is the Eight Degree Channel?

  • Eight Degree Channel: Maritime border between India and Maldives, separating Maldives from Minicoy Islands.
  • Named after latitude: Located north of the equator on the 8-degree line.
  • Nine Degree Channel: Separates Lakshadweep archipelago from Minicoy Island.

About Different Operations led by India in Maldives:

  • Operation Cactus (1988): Indian Armed Forces helped neutralise a coup attempt in Maldives.
  • Operation Neer (2014): India supplied drinking water to address a water crisis in Maldives.
  • Operation Sanjeevani (2020): India provided essential medicines to assist in the fight against Covid-19.
  • Greater Male Connectivity Project (2023): India funded and constructed a bridge connecting Male with three other islands.

About Implications of Muizzu’s Win:

  • Muizzu’s parliamentary win consolidates his authority, potentially enabling him to pass laws and even amend the constitution.
  • It reflects widespread approval of his decisions since his election in 2023, including his engagements with China, Turkey, and the UAE.
  • Muizzu has maintained a relative distance from India, evident in his insistence on the withdrawal of Indian troops and the scrapping of a hydrography agreement.
  • Maldivian leaders expressing concerns about majoritarian trends in India adds to the unease.
  • The PNC’s substantial majority in the parliament grants President Muizzu enhanced legislative powers, potentially enabling the passage of laws and even constitutional amendments.
  • President Muizzu’s handling of the near-absolute power will be under scrutiny in a country accustomed to authoritarian rule for decades.
  • The election results reflect widespread approval of President Muizzu’s decisions since assuming office in November 2023, including his international engagements with China, Turkey, and the UAE, while maintaining a relative distance from India.

About Shift in Maldives’ Foreign Policy:

  • President Muizzu’s policies signal a shift in Maldives’ foreign relations, with a focus on rebalancing and reducing dependence on any single foreign power.
  • Notable actions include the enforcement of a total withdrawal of Indian troops responsible for humanitarian operations and the scrapping of a hydrography agreement with India.
  • Concurrently, there is a strengthening of ties with China, indicating a strategic realignment in the region.

Understanding Opportunity for Diplomatic Reconciliation:

  • The results of the Maldivian elections present an opportunity for India and the Maldives to mend their strained ties.
  • Bilateral relations have historically been strong, and the fluctuations with changes in government should not overshadow the enduring friendship.
  • President Muizzu’s pledge to pursue a “pro-Maldives” policy warrants observation, ensuring that his actions do not compromise India’s security or regional stability.
  • Given Maldives’ economic challenges, vulnerability to climate change, and strategic significance to global powers like the U.S. and China, the benefits of stronger ties with India, emphasising sustainable financing and support, may become evident over time.

Concerns and Challenges:

  • Derogatory comments about Indian leaders by Maldivian Ministers and the decline in Indian tourist figures indicate strained relations.
  • Maldivian leaders and commentators express apprehension regarding majoritarian trends in India, with derogatory remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi heightening tensions.
  • The history of fluctuating ties between India and Maldives based on changes in government is concerning.
  • Indian tourist arrivals in the Maldives have decreased, reflecting strained bilateral relations.
  • India-Out Campaign: Maldivian politics witness a campaign demanding the withdrawal of Indian military personnel, branding Indian presence as a threat to sovereignty.
  • Tourism Strain: Diplomatic dispute leads to a boycott Maldives trend on social media after disparaging comments about the Indian Prime Minister.
  • China’s Rising Influence: China’s increasing visibility in the Maldives, strategically important due to proximity to key shipping lanes and India, causes unease in India and could lead to regional geopolitical contests.

Path Forward for India:

  • Despite recent developments, India and Maldives have traditionally maintained strong ties.
  • It’s essential for New Delhi to avoid reactive diplomacy and instead focus on stable, long-term relations.
  • Muizzu’s assertion of a “pro-Maldives” policy should be monitored to ensure it doesn’t undermine India’s interests.
  • Considering Maldives’ economic challenges, climate change issues, and geopolitical significance, India’s sustained support can prove beneficial.
  • Both countries should prioritise mutual trust and interests, adhering to the principles of “Neighbourhood First” policy.

Call for Mutual Trust and Cooperation:

  • A mutual policy of “Neighbourhood First” should be based on voluntary cooperation, mutual trust, and shared interests between India and the Maldives.
  • Both countries must prioritise dialogue and collaboration to address common challenges and promote regional stability and prosperity.

Conclusion:

India must navigate the complexities of the evolving political landscape in Maldives while safeguarding its strategic interests.Building enduring ties with Maldives based on mutual trust and cooperation remains imperative for regional stability.Both nations should work towards overcoming current challenges and reinforcing their historical bonds.

Source: The Hindu

Mains Practice Question:

“Discuss the implications of Muizzu’s electoral victory in the Maldives on India-Maldives relations and the challenges it poses to India’s ‘Neighborhood First’ policy.”