o Reginal cooperation: Maldives is member of SAARC, SASEC, Indian Ocean RIM Association and the

Indian Ocean Naval Symposium hence it is important for India to have Maldives on board to maintain its
leadership in the region.
• Other aspects of bilateral relation
o Economic and Commercial importance
✓ India is Maldives’ 4th largest trade partner after UAE, China and Singapore.
✓ Greater Male Connectivity Project to be developed by India will be a major catalyst for the Maldivian
economy in the future through jobs and economic activity.
o Capacity Building and Training: India offers several scholarships to Maldivian students under the SAARC
Chair Fellowship and Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) training & scholarships,
o Defence cooperation
✓ India provides the largest number of training opportunities for Maldivian National Defence Force
(MNDF), meeting around 70% of their defence training requirements.
✓ Also, India has gifted a ‘Made in India’ Patrol Vessel named "KAAMIYAAB”.
o People-to-People contacts
✓ India is largest source of tourist arrivals in Maldives. However, in 2019 India has moved to 2nd and is
placed just below China.
✓ India is also a preferred destination for Maldivians for education, medical treatment, recreation and
business.
✓ Indians are the second largest expatriate community in the Maldives.
o Humanitarian Assistance: India has offered assistance to Maldives after the tsunami that struck Maldives
on December 26, 2004, and following tidal surges in May 2007.
✓ India provided water aid to the Maldivian capital of Male, though Operation NEER after a fire
destroyed the biggest water treatment plant.
o Maldives was the first country to receive Covid-19 vaccines from India.
o Cultural Relations: Both the countries share long cultural links and continuous efforts are underway to
further strengthen these linkages, for this India Cultural Center (ICC), was established in Male in July
2011.
Concerns with India- Maldives relations
• China factor: The bigger concern has been Maldives’ growing strategic proximity to China and endorsement
of the Belt and Road Initiative and its maritime component.
• Political Instability: It is major concern for India in 2015 arrest of opposition leader Mohamed Nasheed on
terrorism charges and the consequent political crisis have posed a real diplomatic test for India’s
neighbourhood policy.
• Terrorism and radicalisation: Number of Maldivians drawn towards terrorist groups like the Islamic State (IS)
and jihadist groups has been increasing. Where possibility to use Maldivian islands as a launch pad for terror
attacks against India cannot be rejected.
• Economic crisis: International Monetary Fund report projected that the Maldives' external debt will hit 51.2
per cent of GDP in 2021 from 34.7 per cent in 2016 as a result of the projects, this will deter developments
among India and Maldives.
• Concerns of workers: In 2018 Maldives denied work permits to nearly 2000 Indians working there and job
advertisements which categorically state ‘Indians need not apply’, also denied visa to Indians which further
exacerbated tensions.
• India’s vote against Maldives: In 2018 India voted against and even campaigned against Maldives in its bid to
secure a non-permanent seat to the UN Security Council.
Way forward
• Anti-terrorism cooperation: India needs to enhance anti-terrorism cooperation with Maldives to check entry
of Maldivians in terrorist activities and strengthen security cooperation.
• Cooperation and projects: India need speed up cooperation and timely deliver projects to compete with China
who have timely delivered projects in Maldives.
• Gujral doctrine: India needs to adhere Gujral doctrine that set of five principles to guide the conduct of foreign
relations with India’s immediate neighbours.
o Does not ask for reciprocity but gives and accommodates what it can in good faith and trust.
17 www.visionias.in ©Vision IAS