External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar called on Dr Mohamed Muizzu, President of Maldives, on August 12, 2024. (©India MEA)
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar of India visited the Maldives in early August. This has helped to bring about what can certainly be seen as a positive change in the ties between the two nations.
It is worth noting that Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu came to power riding on an "India out" wave in November 2023. In the aftermath of his election, the relations between India and the Maldives became fraught. In particular, tensions rose after Muizzu ordered the departure of Indian defense personnel stationed in the Maldives who were there servicing India-donated aircraft.
At the time, the opposition in Maldives severely criticized President Muizzu for the strong anti-India stance taken by his government. Muizzu's election as president was a big setback for New Delhi. In the past, it had very good relations with Muizzu's predecessor, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. New Delhi has time and again come to the rescue of its neighbors in the past, including in the Maldives in 1988 when a coup was staged against the then-President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.
Helping Maldives Development
During Dr Jaishankar's August visit, India and the Maldives signed a slew of agreements. One of the major outcomes was the inauguration of India's Line of Credit (LoC)-assisted project of a water and sewer network in 28 islands of Maldives. This is significant since Maldives in the past has suffered from scarcity of drinking water.
Dr Jaishankar, along with the Maldives Foreign Minister and Minister of Construction & Infrastructure, also visited the India-assisted Greater Malé Connectivity Project site and reviewed the progress of this flagship development project. This connectivity project will link Malé with the adjoining islands of Villingili, Gulhifalhu, and Thilafushi. It is important since India has been trying to provide an alternative to the China-led Belt and Road Initiative.
What is the Bigger Message?
The bigger message is that friendship with India is helpful in its immediate neighborhood. This is especially true when it comes to the infrastructure sector, but also otherwise.
New Delhi has been the first responder in times of crisis, whether in the case of natural disasters or otherwise. For example, India provided a helping hand in Myanmar in May 2023 after Cyclone Mocha. In the case of Sri Lanka, when it suffered from an economic crisis, New Delhi offered a line of credit of almost $4 billion USD in 2022. Then, later on, it offered to be one of the guarantors when the IMF provided Sri Lanka with a loan.
What's There for Japan
Maldives is important since Japan relies on the Indo-Pacific sea lanes of communication in a big way for its economic progress. Tokyo also has a Maritime Self-Defense Force base in Djibouti. That is an important part of its Free and Open Indo-Pacific Vision and its foreign policy.
Japan cooperates with like-minded nations like India, Australia, and the United States in the Indo-Pacific region. Indeed, recently the Japanese foreign and defense ministers were in India for the annual 2+2 dialogue with their Indian counterparts.
Why Maldives Matters
New Delhi has a policy known as the Security and Growth for All in the Neighborhood (SAGAR). During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Singapore for the Shangri-La Dialogue in 2018, he outlined what's behind it: "Thousands of years ago, the Indus Valley Civilization as well as the Indian peninsula had maritime trade. Oceans and Varuna – the Lord of all Waters – find a prominent place in the world's oldest books- the Vedas. In ancient Puranas, written thousands of years ago, the geographical definition of India is with reference to the seas."
New Delhi's security and growth depend on what happens in its immediate neighborhood. Hence New Delhi needs to pay attention to this region. As seen recently in Bangladesh, the security situation in the neighborhood can rapidly deteriorate.
New Delhi also cannot afford to ignore the China factor. The defense ties between Maldives and China have grown ever since President Muizzu assumed office in 2023. It is worth noting that a sophisticated Chinese so-called research vessel docked at a Maldivian port earlier in 2024. Furthermore, the two countries also signed a bilateral military agreement during President Muizzu's visit to China in January.
The Road Ahead
Another important reason for the Maldivian president's change of heart could be the country's deeply stressed economy. If things do not improve, President Muizzu's position itself may be in danger.
Additionally, New Delhi is concerned that quite a few Maldivian nationals have joined radical Islamic outfits in the past. Such a radicalized neighbor works against the interests of India and Japan.
Thus, New Delhi has to think out of the box when it comes to foreign policy in its immediate neighborhood. New Delhi has what is known as the "Neighborhood First" policy. At the beginning of his first and second stints as the prime minister, PM Modi started his foreign travels by visiting countries in the neighborhood.
To sum it up, Dr Jaishankar's visit has helped to reaffirm that Maldives remains an important partner for New Delhi in maintaining peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region.
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Author: Dr Rupakjyoti Borah
Dr Borah is a Senior Research Fellow with the Japan Forum for Strategic Studies. The views expressed here are personal.
