India hands over defence equipment and stores to the Maldives

Context: The visit by Ghassan Maumoon is crucial since this is the first Defence
Minister-level meeting after Indian defence personnel, managing and maintaining
aviation platforms gifted by India, were withdrawn from the Maldives last year.
According to the sources, the two sides also discussed extending the lease of
aviation platforms expiring this year – two Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH), which
are being used by the Maldives for medical evacuation purposes. They also
discussed the frequent docking of foreign vessels in Maldivian maritime
territory and the implications of permissions granted to the vessels by foreign
agencies, including the Chinese.

Key points

·       Overview: Defence
Ministers Rajnath Singh and Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon met in New Delhi on
Wednesday as the two countries moved to restore ties after a hiatus that spread
rancour in the two capitals.

·       Defence
tie-ups: A technical agreement on sharing ‘White Shipping Information’ between
the Indian Navy and the Maldives National Defence Force was also signed,
enabling the exchange of prior information on the movement of commercial, non-military
vessels.

·       Defence
and Security: Security remains a critical aspect of
India-Maldives relations. India’s military presence in the Maldives has been a
contentious issue, with calls for the replacement of Indian troops with
technical personnel. It aims to address Maldivian concerns while maintaining
security cooperation. The strategic location of the Maldives in the Indian
Ocean makes it a vital partner for India in ensuring regional stability and
countering external influences, particularly from China.

·       Joint
exercises: India and the Maldives regularly conduct joint exercises, including the
bilateral exercises "Ekuverin" and "Ekatha", and the
trilateral exercise "Dosti".

·       China’s
growing influence in the Maldives: Geopolitical Competition
- The Maldives’ strategic location in the Indian Ocean makes it a key
player in the geopolitical rivalry between India and China. China’s increasing
presence in the Maldives, through infrastructure projects and financial aid,
challenges India’s traditional influence in the region.

Security
Concerns - China’s involvement in the Maldives extends to security cooperation,
which can be seen as a counterbalance to India’s military presence. It creates
tension, as India views the Maldives as part of its strategic sphere of
influence and is wary of Chinese military activities in the region.

·       Conclusion: The turnaround
in Maldives-India relations is a testament to the power of subtle diplomacy
over muscular posturing. It underscores the importance of sensitive and nuanced
engagement in international relations. As Prime Minister Modi aptly put it,
India remains the ‘first responder’ for the Maldives in times of need,
reaffirming the deep-rooted ties between the two nations.