Tag: Maldives

The Mohamed Muizzu-led Maldives government has formally requested that India withdraw its troops from Male….reports Asian Lite News

India will replace military personnel at aviation platforms in the Maldives with competent Indian technical personnel, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday.

The Mohamed Muizzu-led Maldives government has formally requested that India withdraw its troops from Male.

In this regard, a second high-level group meeting took place in New Delhi on February 2 and a third meeting is scheduled to be held later this month.

Addressing a weekly press briefing in the national capital, MEA spokesperson Randir Jaiswal said, “What we had to say, we made it out in the press release. This was done after the second high-level core group meeting. We also said that the third core group meeting will be subsequently held.”

“I would like to say, the present personnel will be replaced by competent Indian technical personnel,” Jaiswal said.

After the second meeting, the Maldives Foreign Ministry in a statement said that India will replace its military personnel in one of the three aviation platforms in the Maldives by March 10 and will complete the replacement by May 10.

“Both sides agreed that the Government of India will replace the military personnel in one of the three aviation platform by March 10, 2024, and will complete replacing military personnel in the other two platforms by 10 May 2024,” the statement read.

Notably, the Ministry of External Affairs stated in its statement that both India and Maldives have agreed on a set of mutually workable solutions to enable the continued operation of Indian aviation platforms that provide humanitarian and medvac services to the people of Maldives.

“Both sides also agreed on a set of mutually workable solutions to enable continued operation of Indian aviation platforms that provide humanitarian and medvac services to the people of Maldives,” it stated.

Previously, Maldives local media had reported that President Mohamed Muizzu had asked the Indian government to withdraw the Indian troops from the island nation before March 15.

Notably, the removal of Indian troops from the country was the main election campaign of Muizzu’s party. Currently, there are around 70 Indian troops, along with Dornier 228 maritime patrol aircraft and two HAL Dhruv helicopters, stationed in the Maldives.

A MEA spokesperson also spoke on the speculations regarding budgetary allocation to Maldives in the Interim Budget 2024-25.

Jaiswal said that Rs 779 crore has been allocated for the Maldives as against Rs 600 crore as projected earlier and New Delhi continues to be a “committed development partner” for Male.

“There are many conflicting ways, in which people are this budgetary. I saw some media reports saying that the allocation has gone up, some are saying it has gone down. Certain amount of money is allocated and then revisions are made, and thereafter there is a phase of revision, during that phase of revision, new proposals are considered,” the MEA spokesperson said.

He added, “The allocation for Maldives this time is Rs 779 crore as against Rs 600 crore projected earlier. The new figures will also be revised when we have more clarity on what sort of forward movement is happening. We remain a committed development partner for Maldives.” (ANI)

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Maldivian President Muizzu once again spoke against India in his maiden speech in the archipelagic country’s parliament on February 5, writes Ashok Sajjanhar

Relations between India and Maldives hit a rocky patch when new President Mohamed Muizzu was elected in September, 2023. The foreign policy of Muizzu’s predecessor Ibrahim Mohamed Solih was anchored in the theme of “India First.”
 
As against this, Muizzu fought the 2023 Presidential election on the slogan of ‘’India Out.’’ According to a Report by the European Election Observation Commission, parties supporting Muizzu “deployed anti-India sentiments and attempted to spread disinformation around this theme during the 2023 presidential elections.”
 
Muizzu can be wholly held responsible for this unfortunate turn of events. He has conducted Maldives’ relations with India with immaturity, lack of sophistication, short-sightedness and impetuosity.

 
Background
 
It is not unusual for India’s smaller neighbours to suffer from a small-country syndrome. India’s small neighbours suffer from an apprehension that their independence and sovereignty could be under threat although India’s policies have always tried to reassure them that India has nothing but their security, well-being, and prosperity at heart.
 
In the instant case of Maldives, this is demonstrated by India’s prompt assistance during the 1988 coup attempt. The immediate withdrawal by India of its troops when they were no longer required, totally debunked any fears of Indian dominance or territorial aspirations. India was also the first to assist Maldives during the 2004 Tsunami and the water crisis in December, 2014.
 
India’s rapid and comprehensive support during the outbreak of measles and Covid-19 in 2020 established beyond doubt the advantages of India’s proximity and capacity to come to Maldives’ rescue in distress as compared to any other distant country.
 
The anti-India small-country syndrome is used by certain segments in the neighbouring countries for their short-sighted personal interests. This is what was done by Muizzu and his party in the recent elections.
 
India’s neighbours are also prone to using the China card to get more benefits and support in trade, investments, infrastructure development from both India and China.
 
This demands that they maintain cordial relations with both the countries. Muizzu has moved totally to the China camp by unnecessarily downgrading Maldives’ ties with India.
 
This is nothing short of shooting itself in the foot as the track record of China in helping developing countries to achieve their developmental aspirations is highly suspect.

 
Recent developments

Going against the past practice of coming to India as the first foreign country to visit after assuming charge, Muizzu chose Turkiye as his first foreign destination. 

Over the years, Maldives has been transforming into an increasingly Islamic radicalized society. Turkiye in its bid to emerge as the leader of the Muslim Ummah has been dabbling in South Asian affairs. Its increased presence in Maldives will be a matter of concern for India.
 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Lakshadweep on 2nd January, 2024 extolled the charm of the islands and encouraged more Indians to visit and enjoy their serene beauty. Totally unprovoked, 3 junior Maldivian ministers came out with vituperative and abusive tirades against India, Indians, and PM Modi.
 
After a barrage of criticism on social media by common Indians and celebrities and threat to stop visiting Maldives, (India contributed the largest of Maldivian incoming tourists in 2022), the Maldivian government ‘’suspended’’ (not dismissed) the three deputy ministers. At the time when the mayhem about the Ministers’ remarks was in full sway, Muizzu was on a 5-day visit to China which was his second port of call.
 
During the visit he ‘elevated’ bilateral relations with China to ‘strategic cooperation,’ signed 20 agreements, joined China’s Global Development Initiative, Global Strategic Initiative, and Global Civilisation Initiative, revived the Belt and Road Initiative and Free Trade Agreement etc.
 
On his return, he haughtily declared that Maldives might be a small country but it did not give the right to any country to ‘’bully’’ it. He added that ‘’this (Indian) ocean does not belong to a specific country.’’
 
In addition, Maldives gave permission to the docking of the Chinese research/spy vessel Xiang Yang Hong 03 in Malé. Maldives’ explanation that the visit was only to replenish stocks sounds hollow. 

Coming on the heels of the non-extension of the joint hydrographic agreement with India, the ultimatum to India to withdraw its “77 troops” (which are stationed for humanitarian assistance and medical evacuation purposes) by 15th March, 2024 signifies a pro-active push to replace India with China, Turkiye and other countries.
 
The way forward

Significant segments of the Maldivian population are in support of close relations with India. Strong statements criticizing comments by the three junior ministers against India and PM Modi were made by many common people and respected members of the political elite of Maldives. There have been demands by several Maldivian leaders that Muizzu should tender an apology to India.
 
There have also been reports that the Opposition parties will bring a No-Confidence motion against Muizzu. In the recent elections for the Mayor of Male, the position occupied by Muizzu before being elected President, the India-leaning party scored a decisive victory over the candidate of Muizzu’s party.
 
India needs to proactively reach out to those Maldivians who are favourably disposed towards India. This would need to be done without in any way interfering in the internal affairs of the country.
 
India extends large quantities of developmental support to Maldives. India will need to draw clear red lines concerning its core strategic and security interests which must be respected by the Maldives.
 
There are other areas also where India can push back against Maldives. All this would need to be communicated to Maldives behind closed doors and not through the media. The above approach would need to be conducted in a sophisticated and nuanced manner. This is what India has done so far which it needs to continue with equal finesse.

 
Conclusion

Challenge posed by Muizzu’s government is stiff but not one that India’s experienced and mature diplomacy will not be able to handle.
 
China continues to deepen its ties with India‘s neighbours to create a “string of pearls’’ to contain it. India, through its Neighbourhood First, Act East and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in The Region) Policies, has been assiduously reaching out to its land and maritime neighbours with positive and encouraging results.
 
India should continue to accord priority to its neighbours. It needs to use all assets at its command of development cooperation, soft power, culture, language, cuisine, music etc. to significantly deepen its ties with its neighbouring countries.

(The writer is a Distinguished Fellow at Ananta Aspen Centre; he was the ambassador of India to Kazakhstan Sweden and Latvia; views expressed here are his own.)

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The majority-holding MDP in parliament has not yet disclosed the purpose of the boycott….reports Asian Lite News

As the political turmoil continues in the Maldives, the island nation’s two main opposition parties–the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and The Democrats Party–have chosen not to attend the presidential statement scheduled for February 5, Maldives-based media outlet Mihaaru reported.

The majority-holding MDP in parliament has not yet disclosed the purpose of the boycott.

However, the Democrats released a statement explaining their decision to abstain from the meeting due to the re-appointment of the three ministers who had been rejected by parliament.

It is the first session of Parliament this year. The presidential statement will be made on Monday at 9 a.m. by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, according to Mihaaru.

According to the outlet, more than one member of the MDP parliamentary group has confirmed the decision.

The President is required by the Constitution to address Parliament at the first session of the first term of the year, outlining the state of the nation and outlining his recommendations for how to bring improvements.

Quite recently, two opposition parties in the Maldives came out against the current regime over its ‘stark’ anti-India pivot.

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and The Democrats jointly issued a joint press statement, labelling the shift in foreign policy as ‘extremely detrimental’ to the country’s long-term development.

The statement served to reassert and affirm the opposition’s belief that “alienating any development partner, and especially the country’s most long-standing ally will be extremely detrimental to the long-term development of the country”.

The opposition further underscored that “stability and security in the Indian Ocean is vital to the stability and security of the Maldives.”

Both the MDP and The Democrats emphasised the critical need for consecutive governments to maintain the ability “to work with all development partners for the benefit of the people of the Maldives, as the Maldives has traditionally done”. (ANI)

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President Muizzu also expressed hope for continued peace, progress, and prosperity for the Indian government and the people for the coming years….reports Asian Lite News

Amid the ongoing diplomatic row between New Delhi and Male, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu extended his greetings to India on the occasion of 75th Republic Day.

He recalled the centuries old friendship between the two nations built on “mutual respect and a deep sense of kinship”.

“President Mohamed Muizzu sent greetings and good wishes to the President and Prime Minister of the Republic of India on the occasion of the 75th Republic Day of India. In separate messages to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Muizzu conveyed greetings and extended his heartfelt felicitations on commemorating the 75th Republic Day of India,” the Maldives President office said in a statement.

President Muizzu also expressed hope for continued peace, progress, and prosperity for the Indian government and the people for the coming years.

“President Muizzu conveyed good wishes from the Government and the people of the Maldives to the Government and the people of India. He underscored the Maldives-India bond nurtured by centuries of friendship, mutual respect, and a deep sense of kinship. The President expressed hope for continued peace, progress, and prosperity for the Government and people of India for years to come,” the statement added.

Former Maldives President Ibrahim Solih also congratulated India on the occasion of 75th Republic Day and called for the “unbreakable bond” between teh two nations to go from “strength to strength”.

“On the joyous occasion of India’s 75th Republic Day I extend best wishes to Pres Murmu (@rashtrapatibhvn), PM @narendramodi, the government and people of India. May the unbreakable bonds of friendship that have long existed between Maldives and India go from strength to strength,” Solih stated on X.

Notably, Solih was one of the prominent Maldives leader to condemn the derogatory remarks made by some junior ministers which led to a diplomatic standoff between the two nations.

India and the Maldives on January 14 “agreed to fast-track the withdrawal of Indian military personnel” from the island nation, according to the Maldives’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The removal of Indian troops in the Maldives was the main campaign plank of Muizzu’s party during the Presidential elections. Currently, there are around 70 Indian troops, along with Dornier 228 maritime patrol aircraft and two HAL Dhruv helicopters, stationed On the second day of assuming office, Muizzu officially requested the Indian government to withdraw its military personnel from the Maldives.

Apart from the call for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel, a massive row erupted after a Maldivian deputy minister, along with other cabinet members and government officials, made disparaging and unsavoury references to Primer Minister Narendra Modi’s recent Lakshadweep visit and call to development the Indian archipelago as a global retreat for beach tourism.

The Maldives government, however, distanced itself from the remarks. (ANI)

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The MEA announced that the next meeting will be held in the national capital…reports Asian Lite News

India and Maldives held a core group meeting on January 14 in which both sides deliberated on finding a “mutually workable solution” to ensure the “continued operation” of Indian aviation platforms providing humanitarian and Medvec services, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday.

The MEA announced that the next meeting will be held in the national capital.

During the core group meeting, both nations delved “on several aspects of the bilateral relationship,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a weekly briefing while sharing insights on the deliberations that took place in the meeting.

“We mentioned that both sides held discussions on finding a mutually workable solution to enable continued operation of Indian aviation platforms that provide humanitarian and Medvec services to the people of the Maldives,” he also said.

“The next meeting is to be held in India to take discussions forward. So that is where the situation as far as the Maldives is concerned,” Jaiswal added.

When asked if India received a formal request from Maldives to withdraw the Indian military, Jaiswal said, “Whatever’s discussed was put out in the press release. That is where the situation actually stands. It is an ongoing process. Both sides held discussions on finding mutually workable solutions…This is an ongoing discussion, so things will go forward or things will be discussed in the next meeting of the core group subsequently soon.”

India and the Maldives also discussed enhancing bilateral cooperation and expediting the implementation of ongoing projects, the MEA had said earlier.

India and the Maldives on January 14 “agreed to fast-track the withdrawal of Indian military personnel” from the island nation, according to the Maldives’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The first meeting of the High-Level Core Group between the Maldives and India took place in Male’.

“During the meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives, both sides reviewed the existing bilateral cooperation. Discussions were held on a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including development cooperation,” the Maldives’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release earlier.

“Both sides expressed willingness to intensify cooperation and agreed to fast-track the withdrawal of Indian military personnel,” it also said, adding, “It was agreed that the second meeting of the High-Level Core Group will be held at a mutually convenient time.”

Earlier, the Maldives local media reported that Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has asked the Indian government to withdraw the Indian troops from the island nation before March 15.

Notably, the removal of Indian troops in the Maldives was the main campaign of Muizzu’s party. Currently, there are around 70 Indian troops, along with Dornier 228 maritime patrol aircraft and two HAL Dhruv helicopters, stationed in the Maldives.

On the second day of assuming office, Muizzu officially requested the Indian government to withdraw its military personnel from the Maldives.

In December last year, President Muizzu claimed that, after dialogue with the Indian government, an agreement was reached to withdraw Indian military personnel.

Apart from withdrawal of Indian military personnel, a massive row was triggered after the Maldives deputy minister, along with other cabinet members and government officials, made disparaging and unsavoury references to PM Modi’s Lakshadweep visit.

The Maldives government has, however, distanced itself from the remarks made by its ministers. Maldivian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Moosa Zameer, said that these remarks against foreign leaders are “unacceptable” and do not reflect the official position of the Maldives government. (ANI)

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Abdulla Nazim, the Policy Director of the Maldives President’s Office, told reporters that President Muizzu had proposed to withdraw Indian troops from the Maldives…reports Asian Lite News

India and the Maldives discussed finding a “mutually workable solution” to continue the operation of Indian aviation platforms that provide humanitarian and medical evacuation services to the people of the Maldives, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Sunday.

The discussions were held during the first meeting of the India-Maldives High-Level Core Group that was held in Male on Sunday.

India and Maldives also discussed enhancing bilateral cooperation and expediting the implementation of ongoing projects.

“During the meeting, both sides held discussions on wide-ranging issues related to bilateral cooperation towards identifying steps to enhance the partnership, including expediting the implementation of ongoing development cooperation projects,” the MEA statement read.

“Both sides also held discussions on finding mutually workable solution to enable continued operation of Indian aviation platforms that provide humanitarian and medvac services to the people of Maldives,” it added.

The two sides also agreed to hold the next meeting of the High-Level Core Group in India on a mutually convenient date.

Earlier, Maldives local media reported that Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has asked the Indian government to withdraw the Indian troops from the island nation before March 15.

Abdulla Nazim, the Policy Director of the Maldives President’s Office, told reporters that President Muizzu had proposed to withdraw Indian troops from the Maldives.

“During the meeting, the President proposed the removal of Indian troops before March 15. The government, the President’s Office and the President have proposed this date for the agenda of the meeting. Those discussions are now underway,” Maldives-based Adhadhu newspaper quoted Nazim as saying at the press conference.

Nazim further said that Indian troops cannot stay in Maldives and that is “what the people want,” the local newspaper reported.

“The most important point is that Indian troops cannot stay in this country. That is the policy of this government. That is the promise of President Mohammed Muizzu and what the people want,” he said.

Notably, the removal of Indian troops in the Maldives was the main campaign of Muizzu’s party. Currently, there are around 70 Indian troops, along with Dornier 228 maritime patrol aircraft and two HAL Dhruv helicopters, stationed in the Maldives.

On the second day of assuming office, Muizzu officially requested the Indian government to withdraw its military personnel from the Maldives.

In December last year, President Muizzu claimed that, after dialogue with the Indian government, an agreement was reached to withdraw Indian military personnel. (ANI)

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