Geo strategic importance of Maldives and the recent Political Crisis

The Maldives is a group of 26 atolls located in the Indian Ocean. It is a popular tourist destination known for its stunning beaches, clear blue waters, and overwater bungalows. The Maldives is also an important transport hub, serving as a gateway to the Indian Ocean, with direct flights to many major cities in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Its strategic location makes it a critical trade and commerce hub, connecting the Middle East and East Asia with Africa and Europe. Geo strategically one of the most important country for which both India and China are eyeing to build a stable diplomatic relationship.

Geo-Strategic Importance of Maldives

• Maldives, a Toll Gate in the Indian Ocean: Located in the southern and northern parts of this island chain lie the two important sea lanes of communication (SLOCs).
  • These SLOCs are critical for maritime trade flow between the Gulf of Aden and the Gulf of Hormuz in West Asia and the Strait of Malacca in Southeast Asia.
  • While the Indian Ocean is considered the key highway for global trade and energy flow, the Maldives virtually stands as a toll gate.
  • While SLOCs in the vicinity of the Maldives have broader strategic significance for global maritime trade, these are of vital importance for India since nearly 50% of India’s external trade and 80% of her energy imports transit these westward SLOCs in the Arabian Sea.
• Increasing Maritime Activity: As maritime economic activity in the Indian Ocean has risen dramatically in recent decades, the geopolitical competition in the Indian Ocean has intensified.
  • Due to this, China’s strategic interests and logistical limitations in the Indian Ocean have prompted it to increase its presence in the Indian Ocean.
• India’s Strategic Priority: A favourable and positive maritime environment in the Indian Ocean is essential for the fulfilment of India’s Strategic Priority.
  • Thus, India continuously aims at promoting an ever-expanding area of peace and stability around it.
  • In addition, the Maldives is an important partner in India’s role as the net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/10-reasons-why-maldives-is-important-for-india/articleshow/62814970.cms?from=mdr

Co-operations between India and the Maldives

• Recognition of the Maldives
  • India was among the first to recognise the Maldives after its independence in 1965.
• Security Cooperation:
  • India has rushed emergency assistance to the Maldives whenever sought.
  • In 1988, when armed mercenaries attempted a coup against President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, India sent paratroopers and Navy vessels and restored the legitimate leadership under Operation Cactus 
  • Further, joint naval exercises have been conducted in the Indian Ocean, and India still contributes to the security of the maritime island.
• Disaster Management:
  • The 2004 tsunami and the drinking water crisis when India rushed assistance.
  • At the peak of the continuing COVID-19 disruption, the Maldives has been the biggest beneficiary of the COVID-19 assistance given by India among all of India’s neighbouring countries.
  • When the world supply chains were blocked because of the pandemic, India continued to provide crucial commodities to the Maldives under mission SAGAR.
• People-to-People Contact:
  • Technology has made connectivity easier for everyday contact and exchanges.
  • Maldivian students attend educational institutions in India and
  • Patients fly here for superspeciality healthcare, aided by a liberal visa-free regime extended by India.
• Economic Cooperation:
  • The country was a major tourist destination for Indians. More than 2.4 lakh tourists visited the Maldives in 2022. The number was approx. 2.11 lakhs in 2021.
  • Given the geographical limitations imposed on the Maldives, India has exempted the nation from export curbs on essential commodities.

Newly-Elected President Mohamed Muizzu and his political inclination

• President Mohamed Muizzu, a British-educated civil engineer turned politician, has been elected as the eighth Maldivian. Since assuming the presidency on November 17, 2023, he has been dogged by controversy.

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu takes oath (photo: Maldives President.gov)

Maldivian Political Crisis: A Sequence of events

• The recent diplomatic row between India and the Maldives began on January 4, 2024, after the Honourable Prime Minister of India posted photos of his Lakshadweep visit and praised the beaches of Lakshadweep. The same irked three Maldivian deputy ministers, as the same may disrupt the Maldivian tourism industry. They ended up making derogatory comments.
• The Maldives government has suspended three ministers for their derogatory remarks about India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, causing a backlash on social media.
• BoycottMaldives started trending on social media, and many tourists across the globe ended up cancelling hotel bookings and flight tickets by Indian tourists to the Maldives and altering their travel to Lakshadweep.
• The statistics, obtained as of January 28 reflect the latest developments in diplomatic relations between India and the Maldives.
• According to the official Maldivian government data, this is how countries rank in terms of arrivals in the archipelago. 
• Russia: 18,561 arrivals (10.6% market share, Rank 2 in 2023)
• Italy: 18,111 arrivals (10.4% market share, Rank 6 in 2023)
• China: 16,529 arrivals (9.5% market share, Rank 3 in 2023)
• UK: 14,588 arrivals (8.4% market share, Rank 4 in 2023)
• India: 13,989 arrivals (8.0% market share, Rank 1 in 2023)
• Germany: 10,652 arrivals (6.1% market share)
• USA: 6,299 arrivals (3.6% market share, Rank 7 in 2023)
• France: 6,168 arrivals (3.5% market share, Rank 8 in 2023)
• Poland: 5,109 arrivals (2.9% market share, Rank 14 in 2023)
• Switzerland: 3,330 arrivals (1.9% market share, Rank 10 in 2023)

• Soon, President Mohamed Muizzu, who follows a pro-China policy, asked India to remove all its 88 military personnel from the island by March 2024. Muizzu’s anti-India stance was widely criticised.
• The diplomatic relationship was further strained as the Maldivian president approved the Chinese spy vessel set to dock at the Maldives’ capital, Male.
• Earlier on Sunday, the Maldives parliament witnessed violence when government MPs disturbed the proceedings and the Speakers. On Sunday, a key vote on parliamentary approval for the Muizzu government was scheduled, but the session ended up in a brawl wherein the Maldivian leaders could be seen kicking and punching each other.

Screengrab of the viral videos

• The altercation resulted in injuries to Shaheem’s head as both parliamentarians fell near the chamber. Minority leader Moosa Siraj intervened in an attempt to halt the scuffle. Subsequently, Shaheem was reportedly taken to the hospital for further management.
• According to media reports on Monday, the MDP, in collaboration with the Democrats’ parliamentary group, has gathered ample signatures for an impeachment motion.

In general, when an impeachment motion is filed against a president, it initiates a political and legal process to determine whether the president should be removed from office. It’s important to note political situations may change in the Maldives. Good or bad, time will tell whether President Mohamed Muizzu will be able to overcome the political crisis.