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meeting after Indian defence personnel, managing and maintaining aviation platforms gifted by India, were withdrawn from the Maldives last year.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.

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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.

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·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.