Neighbours Not Masters

The Maldives is a picturesque archipelago of 1,192 islands located across the Indian Ocean. It holds strategic, economic, cultural, and geopolitical importance for India. Despite its small size and a population of nearly 500,000, the Maldives plays a significant role in India’s regional policy and remains a key player in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The close proximity between the Maldives and India, along with their shared cultural and historical ties, forms the foundation of a strong bilateral relationship.

The geographical location of the Maldives makes it a cornerstone for India’s maritime security and influence in the Indian Ocean. Situated near key international sea lanes of communication (SLOCs), the Maldives lies in close proximity to routes that carry a significant portion of the world’s trade and energy supplies. Control or influence over these sea lanes has long been considered essential for regional dominance. The Maldives’ location serves as a buffer zone for India against external threats and ensures the security of its western coastline. A strong India-Maldives relationship helps India counter the increasing presence of other major powers, particularly China, in the Indian Ocean through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and port-building projects.

India and the Maldives share a robust partnership in maritime security. With the Indian Ocean facing challenges such as piracy, illegal fishing, smuggling, and maritime terrorism, the Maldives is a crucial partner for India in maintaining regional stability. The two nations have been collaborating through joint maritime patrols, information sharing, and capacity-building initiatives to counter these threats.

In the past, India has provided assistance to the Maldives in building its coast guard and naval capabilities. The Indian Navy frequently conducts joint exercises with the Maldivian Coast Guard, ensuring the island nation has the resources to safeguard its territorial waters.

Furthermore, the Maldives has become a battleground in India’s efforts to counter China’s growing influence in South Asia and the Indian Ocean. Over the last decade, China has made significant inroads into the Maldives through investments in infrastructure, such as the Sinamalé Bridge and several other projects. The Chinese debt-trap diplomacy, a term used to describe financial assistance with heavy repayment terms, has raised concerns in India about the Maldives potentially becoming a client state of China. However, the extent of this risk remains to be seen.

To maintain its strategic influence, India has increased its engagement with the Maldives, providing financial aid, developmental assistance, and diplomatic support. India’s “Neighborhood First” policy emphasizes strong ties with the Maldives, ensuring it remains aligned with Indian interests.

Economic and developmental cooperation has become a cornerstone of the India-Maldives relationship. India is one of the Maldives’ largest trading partners, and the two countries engage in significant bilateral trade. India exports essential commodities, including food, medicine, and construction materials, to the Maldives, while the Maldives exports marine products to India.

The Maldives has become a battleground in India’s efforts to counter China’s growing influence in South Asia and the Indian Ocean.

India has also played an active role in the Maldives’ developmental projects. In recent years, India has extended financial assistance for infrastructure development, including roadways, water supply systems, and renewable energy projects.

Apart from bilateral trade, India and the Maldives share a deep-rooted cultural and historical connection. While the Maldives has a predominantly Muslim population, Indian influences are evident in its language, cuisine, and traditions. The Dhivehi language, spoken in the Maldives, has linguistic similarities with Sanskrit, reflecting centuries of cultural exchange.

Tourism, education, and healthcare strengthen people-to-people ties. The Maldives is a popular tourist destination for Indian travelers, and many Maldivian students pursue higher education at Indian universities.

Over the years, India has consistently stepped up to support the Maldives during times of crisis, enhancing its reputation as a reliable partner. The Maldives is particularly vulnerable to climate change and rising sea levels, which threaten its very existence. India has provided assistance to the Maldives in combating environmental challenges through capacity building, technology sharing, and renewable energy initiatives.

During natural disasters and emergencies, India has provided swift humanitarian assistance.

Tourism, the backbone of the Maldivian economy, also benefits significantly from India’s contributions. Indian tourists comprise a large percentage of visitors to the Maldives, contributing substantially to its revenue. Improved connectivity between the two countries, with the availability of direct flights, has further facilitated tourism and business exchanges.