Maldivian Crisis

What is the issue?

Increasing foreign presence in the tiny island nation of Maldives in the Indian Ocean is of significance to India. 

What is the Political background of Maldives?

• The Maldives was ruled by ‘Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’ for 30 years and was a single-party state until 2008, with the executive being in charge of the civil service, the security forces and the judiciary.
• This was challenged by Nasheed, who contested the 2008 presidential elections and won it.
• A new constitution was formulated, but after four years, in 2012 Nasheed was overthrown in a coup & eventually exiled.
• In 2013, fresh presidential elections were held and former president Gayoom’s brother, Abdulla Yameen, became president through what Nasheed supporters say was a rigged election.
• Naseed was tried and found guilty of terrorism and given a 13-year jail sentence, effectively barring him a return anytime soon.

What are the foreign influences in Maldieves lately?

• While Naseed sought Indian support, Yameen too became very active on the foreign policy front, hoping to secure his position.  
• China - Chinese President Xi Jimping visited Maldives in 2014 and mooted the idea of a Maritime Silk Road (MSR) connectivity.
• Maldives even amended its laws that barred foreigners from buying land for China’s comfort.
• Chinese tourists too are increasingly flocking to the Maldives.
• Further, an airport project allocated by the Naseed regime to the Indian promoter GMR was cancelled & given to a Chinese firm, although an international arbitration eventually favoured GMR.
• Saudi Arabia - Maldives is a 100% sunni Islamic republic, which naturally led Yammen to think of an Arab alliance.
• Saudi has drawn up plans for a massive integrated development project in the Maldives.
• The risk of this increased visible presence of Saudi Arabia is that it could have a radicalising effect on the younger Maldivians, which could have consequences for India.
• Radicalisation is already being noticed as hundreds of young Maldivians have been found to have joined the IS.

How has India reacted to these developments?

• Initially India had almost openly sided with the Nasheed administration and even lobbied within the Commonwealth to impose sanctions on Maldives for unceremoniously ousting him.
• Eventually, geo-political pressures forced India to rectify its equations with Yameen, which was apparent in his 2016 visit to India that also saw the signing of a defence agreement.
• Continous vigilance on the political developments in Maldives is of primacy due its strategic location & proximity to India.  

Source: Business Standard