As the Maldives is crucial for India’s security and access to the Indian Ocean Region, the diplomatic developments between China and the Maldives are forcing New Delhi to play catch up.
Author
Gunjan Singh, Assistant Professor, Jindal Global Law School, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana, India.
Summary
Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer visited India from 8-10 May during which he met Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and had an in-depth discussion on bilateral relations and regional developments.
Jaishankar asserted during Zameer’s visit, “As close and proximate neighbours, the development of our ties is obviously based on mutual interests and reciprocal sensitivity. As far as India is concerned, these are articulated in terms of our ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision.”
There has been quite a prominent tilt in Maldivian foreign policy in favour of China which is becoming a major challenge for India in South Asia and the Indian Ocean Region. The successful ‘India Out’ campaign by President Muizzu and his consistent anti-India rhetoric further resulted in the deterioration of this relationship. His political party, the People’s National Congress (PNC), won a majority in the parliamentary elections of April 2024. Muizzu has also called China “one of the closest allies and developmental partners of the Maldives”.
It was also during Zameer’s visit that New Delhi met its deadline to withdraw all of its military personnel from the Maldives, which was a campaign promise made by Muizzu.
Published in: The Quint
To read the full article, please click here.
