SEEKING RESET

 

IN THE first high-level trip from India after the change of guard in Maldives, External Affairs Minister Mr. S Jaishankar has opened a door for reset of strained relations with the archipelago. Under President Mr. Mohammad Muizzu, Maldives had gone ahead with all anti-India decisions in clear allegiance to China. Immediately after assuming office, Mr. Muizzu had adopted a hard stance against the presence of Indian military personnel in his country. The military officials were subsequently replaced by civilians even as India waited for the next step by Maldives. Now, with the start of a defence dialogue between New Delhi and Male, a big barrier seems to have broken between Indo-Maldives bilateral relations. Maldives is a key maritime neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). India enjoyed cordial defence and security relations with the country under the previous Government in Male. With the change in guard, the relationship took a big hit as the pro-China Maldives President reversed the good progress in bilateral relations with India. Despite the setback, New Delhi continued to practice its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy which it has employed successfully with many other neighbours having problems with India. Mr. Muizzu was invited as guest during the oath-taking ceremony of Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi in his third term at the Centre. India also opened up its coffers for emergency aid to Male to overcome a financial crisis.

 

The visit of Mr. Jaishankar to hold a “productive” defence dialogue with a focus on the situation in the Indian Ocean and ways to expedite implementation of defence projects underlines the silent benefits of the ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy which has aimed at spreading goodwill among key neighbours. India is already implementing several civil and cultural projects in Maldives which helped in keeping the door open for further talks. A dialogue on defence projects should now be considered as big progress in resetting the relations. It indicates a change in stance of the current dispensation in Male as bilateral defence cooperation covers a wide range including maritime surveillance and sharing of security inputs between the two countries. A subtle message has thus been delivered to China that India would continue to be a crucial player in the IOR despite Beijing’s strategy of weaning away its maritime neighbours through economic heft. That Mr. Muizzu had publicly thanked India for backing Maldives during the recent financial problems shows that Male has decided to cater to its needs on its own terms.

 

Holding talks on defence cooperation also emphasises that Maldives has decided to protect its sovereign interests by seeking a weapons deal with India. India has emerged as a defence exporter in the ASEAN region by providing BrahMos missiles to Philippines and smaller arms export to many other maritime neighbours. Maldives, too, looks interested in investing in Indian weapons of better quality and lower price tags instead of depending only on China. With deliberations on participation in forthcoming bilateral military exercises, Male has also shown willingness to revive the defence cooperation for its own benefits. Partnering with India in defence sector and exchange of technological expertise holds immense benefits for Maldives and the fresh round of defence dialogue looks to have cleared ground for further cooperation.