India and Maldives to Review Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership

Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel from the Maldives is leading his country’s team to discuss the India-Maldives partnership on comprehensive economic and maritime security in New Delhi, India, for three days. In October of 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu made the partnership official. The trip adds to the growing political exchanges happening between India and its neighbors within the policy known as Neighbourhood First. Officials are scheduled to address carrying out a unified vision document decided on last year, regardless of the prior friction when the Maldivian President first took a pro-China stance.

Context

• India welcomes Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel, leading a Maldivian delegation, for a visit aimed at discussing improving the India-Maldives economic and maritime security partnership. 

• In October 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives launched the partnership. 

Key Points

• High-Level Visit:

  • As head of the Maldivian delegation, the Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel travels to Delhi for the third time this year.

• Implementation of the Vision Document:

  • The gathering will look at the development of the comprehensive economic and maritime security partnership between India and the Maldives that was sealed in October 2024.

  • Khaleel will speak with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to outline future cooperation.

• Strategic Importance:

  • The Maldives is a vital neighbor for India and important for the security and prosperity strategies outlined in ‘Neighbourhood First’ and the ‘Mahasagar’ initiatives.

• Developments in the Past and Advancements Lately:

  • Tensions increased when President Muizzu came to power by advocating closer relations with China and asking India to pull out its military, but they have since improved after his vow to strengthen the alliance during his visit in October.

About India and Maldives Relations

Historical Ties:

• Canada and Australia began diplomatic and political relations once Britain left in 1965.

• India has since 2008 established close ties with the Maldives in politics, military affairs, business, and among civil society.

How much does the Maldives Matter for India?

• Positioned just south of India in the Indian Ocean, makes navigating shipping safer and easier.

• People in both regions have ancient Buddhism in common as part of their culture.

• India’s policy to support its neighbors means that the Maldives’ stable growth helps keep the Indian Ocean secure.

Why India Is Important to the Maldives:

• Important Goods: India exports necessary goods like food, medicine, and building materials used in infrastructure.

• Education: A large number of Maldivian students choose education abroad because of the scholarships and support offered.

• Help Through Disasters: A constant supply of aid during disasters and the COVID-19 emergency.

• Security Concerns: This country has worked with military officials (in 1988 during Operation Cactus) and currently shares in naval exercises called “Ekuverin,” “Dosti,” and “Ekatha.”

• Tourism: After the pandemic, the Maldives saw the biggest group of Indian tourists, who made up over 11% of arrivals in 2023.

Geographical Area:

• Between India’s Minicoy Island and the Maldives stands the Eight Degree Channel.

Major challenge between India and the Maldives

• India Out Campaign

  • Political campaigners in the Maldives are pushing for all Indian military personnel to leave.

  • The current President of the Maldives gave a March 15, 2024, deadline for the removal of troops from the country.

• Tourism Strain:

  • Echoing anger at the Indian PM’s comments, a request to boycott Maldives tourism during Ramadan was posted online by many.

• The Rise of Chinese Impact:

  • Worries about India’s security have arisen as China builds stronger relationships with the Maldives near shipping lanes.

  • There is a possibility of conflict between India and China for regional power.

Trade Between India and Maldives

Top Commodities trade

Conclusion:

The India-Maldives relationship highlights India’s strategy to build up regional partnerships by working together on economic matters and maritime security. Because of both nations’ commitment, ties between them will deepen, bringing more stability and allowing the Indian Ocean region to grow, supporting India’s policies in the neighbourhood.