Explained: What Is Happening Between India And Maldives?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi'srecent visit to the Lakshwadeep took social media by storm but, it is aMaldivian politician's snide remark that has taken the spotlight and hashighlighted the souring relations between the two countries.
Zahid Rameez, a member of the Progressive Partyof Maldives Senate, posted on X: "The move is great. However, the ideaof competing with us is delusional. How can they provide the service we offer?How can they be so clean? The permanent smell in the rooms will be the biggestdownfall."
But the Government of Maldives distanced itself from this remark, issuing a notice on January 7 saying: "The Government of Maldives is aware of derogatory remarks on social media platforms against foreign leaders and high-ranking individuals. These opinions are personal and do not represent the views of the Government of Maldives...Moreover, the relevant authorities of the Government will not hesitate to take action against those who make such derogatory remarks."??
This tweet and the row triggered by it is onlythe latest controversy in a string of recent developments that have strainedIndia-Maldives ties.
Here's what is happening between India andMaldives.
"India Out" campaign
It all began on September 30 when Male MayorMohamed Muizzu became the new President of Maldives, with a majority of 54.05%,defeating then-president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
Muizzu's election campaign included an "India Out" slogan against the outgoing President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's foreign policy of 'India First'.?The "India Out" campaign of Maldivesprojects New Delhi as a hegemon that is a threat to Maldivian autonomy.
Unlike his predecessor, Muizzu is viewed by manyas close to China, since as mayor of Male he oversaw key Beijing infrastructureprojects and had promised close ties with the Chinese Communist Party if hebecame President.
Since his election thus, there has been a deliberate distancing fromIndia with Muizzu expressing his desire to expel Indian troops from the countryin order to safeguard Maldives' independence and sovereignty.
His first visit as President was to Turkey, breaking with years-long traditionof India being the first country to be visited. His second visit, from Jan. 8 to 12, is set to be to China, as per reports.
Maldives terminates hydrographic pact with India
In December, the Maldives government decided not to renew a Memorandumof Understanding (MoU) with India for cooperation in hydrography. Theagreement, signed in 2019 between the two countries, is to expire in 2024.
The hydrographic survey pact was to help "map out water depth, the shape of the seafloor and coastline, thelocation of possible obstructions, and physical features of water bodies¡±, toensure the efficiency of maritime transportation.
He said they are notrenewing the agreement with India because Maldives has its own nationalhydrography agency but will seek support from 'external partners' if needed.
India asked to withdraw military from Maldives
In January 2024, Presidentof the Maldives Mohamed Muizzu asked the Indian government to withdraw themilitary from the island nation to protect its democracy.?
If India did not withdrawits forces, it would amount to disregarding the "democratic will" ofthe Maldivian people and jeopardizing the future of the democracy, said Muizzu,according to a TOI report.
At the same time, Muizzustated. "India is one of our closest friends. We share traditional andcultural roots. That is a historical fact. The relationship between twocountries is growing at an intensified rate in areas such as trade, commerce,investment, and tourism,¡± as told to TOI.
So far India has not made much comment on the developments.
Indian Foreign Ministry SpokespersonRandhir Jaiswal said, "It is for them to decide where they go and how theygo about their international relations.¡±
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