India and the Maldives have a long-standing relationship, with India providing assistance in various sectors of Maldivian development [eac4468f]. However, China's growing influence in the Maldives poses challenges to democracy and regional stability [abc0b81d]. The recent regime change in the Maldives, with the victory of the pro-China candidate, has heightened the geopolitical rivalry between China and India in the region [87841887]. The strategic location of the Maldives and its significance in terms of shipping lanes and naval power projection make it a key battleground for these competing powers [87841887][abc0b81d]. The future of India-Maldives relations and the balance of power in the Indian Ocean Region will be crucial to watch [87841887][abc0b81d][eac4468f].
In August 2024, India's External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar visited Addu City in the Maldives, underscoring the strategic importance of the atoll for India's defense in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). During the visit, several development projects were inaugurated, highlighting India's commitment to enhancing its presence in the region [feb4b43e]. Addu's location is critical as it provides two Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOC) for maritime traffic, which is vital for regional security [feb4b43e].
In his first 100 days in office, President-elect Mohamed Muizzu plans to address pressing economic challenges and rebalance foreign relations amidst the India-China rivalry [c65a6ec3]. He aims to engage the youth and women in nation-building, tackle corruption, and play a more active role in Indo-Pacific security and regional maritime discussions [c65a6ec3]. However, he also wants foreign military presence, including Indian troops, removed from the Maldives, believing that the Maldives should not be entangled in geopolitical fights between bigger nations [c65a6ec3]. Muizzu also expresses support for the rights of Palestinians and calls for a peaceful state for Palestine. He hopes that the upcoming UN climate change conference will push more countries to address the urgency of climate change issues, as the Maldives is highly vulnerable to global warming [c65a6ec3].
The Maldives, an archipelago of 1,192 islands, is facing the threat of rising sea levels and freshwater scarcity. However, the new president is determined to prevent the relocation of the population abroad. Mohamed Muizzu, a civil engineer trained in the UK, has proposed an ambitious land rehabilitation and island elevation program. Around 80% of the archipelago is located less than one meter above sea level, making it one of the most vulnerable countries to sea-level rise. The previous president had considered buying land in neighboring countries as a contingency plan. The Maldives, known for its tourism industry, is a popular destination for celebrities and wealthy individuals. The land rehabilitation projects have already increased the country's surface area by about 10% in the past four decades. However, environmental and human rights organizations warn that these projects must be carried out with caution and in compliance with environmental regulations. The government has been accused of disregarding its own environmental laws and lacking appropriate moderation policies. Despite the challenges, the new president remains optimistic about the potential for expansion and the ability to adapt to the rising sea levels.
Former sports minister of Maldives Ahmed Mahloof warns that the 'Boycott Maldives' campaign in India will hurt the country's economy and be hard to recover from [e3754f98]. The campaign started after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Lakshadweep Islands and raised concerns about the impact on the Maldivian tourism industry. Some Maldivian cabinet ministers made derogatory remarks about PM Modi, leading to their suspension. Mahloof calls on the government to take swift action to solve the issue and apologizes for the racist comments made by a few Maldivians. The Maldives government has distanced itself from the insults and another politician criticized India's idea of competing with Maldives in island tourism [e3754f98].
Several Indians have canceled their trips to Maldives after Maldivian ministers made anti-India comments on social media. The comments sparked outrage among Indians, leading to the trending hashtag #BoycottMaldives. Bollywood stars who previously promoted Maldives as a tourism destination are now supporting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's outreach to Lakshadweep. Hotel bookings in Maldives have been affected by the controversy. Maldives has suspended the three ministers involved in the remarks row. Former Maldives foreign minister Abdulla Shahid called for reprimanding the officials and emphasized the importance of maintaining decorum in public discourse [44231cd9].
The Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has appealed for a boycott of the Maldives after derogatory remarks were made by Maldives ministers against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. EaseMyTrip, an online travel solutions provider, has suspended all flight bookings to the Maldives in response. The ICC has called on its members and tourism trade associations to stop promoting Maldives tourism and divert inquiries to other destinations in the Indian Ocean. They have also appealed to Indian airline carriers to suspend operations in the Maldives and for investment in the Lakshadweep Islands. The controversy began when Maldivian politicians made disparaging remarks about PM Modi and ridiculed his visit to Lakshadweep. Many Indians have canceled their planned holidays to the Maldives in response [60fcad3a].
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu asserts that no nation has the authority to bully the island nation amid a diplomatic dispute with India. Muizzu emphasizes that although the Maldives is small, it has a vast exclusive economic zone of 900,000 square km. He states that the Indian Ocean belongs to all countries situated in it and that the Maldives is an independent and sovereign state. The controversy began when certain Maldivian politicians made derogatory remarks about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Lakshadweep. As a result, three ministers were removed from their positions, and the Maldivian representative to India was summoned to the External Affairs Ministry. The comments made by Maldives' ministers have led to the cancellation of vacations to the Maldives by Indian tourists. Amid the tensions, EaseMyTrip, an online travel company, has suspended flight bookings to the Maldives. President Muizzu, who was on a state visit to China, has urged the nation to intensify efforts to attract more tourists to the Maldives. In the previous year, Muizzu won the elections with his 'India Out' campaign, promising the withdrawal of Indian troops from the archipelago [1d511f38].
The Maldives is navigating the competition between India and China while dealing with mounting debt, which totals approximately $8 billion, including $1.3 billion owed to China. Maldivian foreign policy is becoming less predictable as it attempts to balance strategic interests and maintain its sovereignty. The rivalry between India and China is highlighted in the Maldives' efforts to manage its relations with both countries. The article mentions that the Maldives' mounting debt is a central issue in its relations with India and China. The Maldives is seeking financial assistance from both countries, but this has raised concerns about the country's ability to maintain its independence and sovereignty. The article also discusses the challenges faced by the Maldives in managing its debt and the potential implications for its foreign policy. The Maldives' delicate balancing act between China and India is crucial to maintaining stability in the region and safeguarding its own interests [b3c01d40].