INTERNATIONAL

RELATIONS
INDIA AND MALDIVES

Maldives located to the south of

Maldives located to the
India,
southinofthe Indian
India, Ocean,
in the Indiansaw
the election
Ocean, saw the of election
a Pro-China
of a
candidate
Pro-Chinaascandidate
the next as president
the
of next
the president
nation, which
of the allegedly
nation,
raises
which concern for India in
allegedly raises
recent [Link],
concern for India in recent
Maldives had an Maldives
[Link], Executive
Presidency system since 1968,
had an Executive
transitioning to a since
Presidency system multi-party
democracy in
1968, transitioning 2008.
to a No
incumbent
multi-party president
democracy hasin been
re-elected
2008. No since then, which is
incumbent
concerning for India.
 MORE ABOUT
MALDIVES
01 02
SECURITY PARTNESHIP REHABILIATION CENTER 03
ECONOMIC COOPERATION
Defense cooperation
Tourism is the mainstay
extends to the areas of Maldivian economy.
of Joint Exercises - The country is now a
“Ekuverin”, “Dosti”, major tourist
“Ekatha” and destination for some
“Operation Shield” Indians and a job
(begun in 2021).India destination for others.
provides the largest In August 2021, Afcons,
number of training an Indian company,
signed a contract for
opportunities for
the largest-ever
Maldivian National infrastructure project in
Defence Force Maldives which is the
(MNDF), meeting Greater Male
around 70% of their Connectivity Project
defense training (GMCP).
 MORE ABOUT
MALDIVES
01 02
SECURITY PARTNESHIP REHABILIATION CENTER

Defense 03 ECONOMIC COOPERATION

cooperation Signing of contract for the Tourism is the mainstay
extends to the areas of Addu reclamation and of Maldivian economy.
Joint Exercises - shore protection project. The country is now a
“Ekuverin”, “Dosti”, A drug detoxification and major tourist
“Ekatha” and “Operation rehabilitation centre in destination for some
Shield” (begun in Addu built with Indian Indians and a job
assistance. destination for others.
2021).India provides the
The centre is one of 20 In August 2021, Afcons,
largest number of training an Indian company,
opportunities for Maldivian high impact community
development projects signed a contract for
National Defence Force the largest-ever
being implemented by
(MNDF), meeting around India in areas such as infrastructure project in
70% of their defense healthcare, education, Maldives which is the
training requirements. fisheries, tourism, sports Greater Male
and culture. Connectivity Project
(GMCP).
 MORE ABOUT
MALDIVES
01 02
SECURITY PARTNESHIP REHABILIATION CENTER

Defense 03 ECONOMIC COOPERATION

cooperation Signing of contract for the Tourism is the mainstay
extends to the areas of Addu reclamation and of Maldivian economy.
Joint Exercises - shore protection project. The country is now a
“Ekuverin”, “Dosti”, A drug detoxification and major tourist
“Ekatha” and “Operation rehabilitation centre in destination for some
Shield” (begun in Addu built with Indian Indians and a job
assistance. destination for others.
2021).India provides the
The centre is one of 20 In August 2021, Afcons,
largest number of training an Indian company,
opportunities for Maldivian high impact community
development projects signed a contract for
National Defence Force the largest-ever
being implemented by
(MNDF), meeting around India in areas such as infrastructure project in
70% of their defense healthcare, education, Maldives which is the
training requirements. fisheries, tourism, sports Greater Male
and culture. Connectivity Project
(GMCP).
INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS MALE CONNECTIVITY
WORK

Hanimaadhoo International
It will consist of a 6.74 km-
Airport Development project
long bridge and causeway link
under an Indian credit line will between Male and nearby
add a brand-new terminal to islands of Villingli, Gulhifalhu
cater to 1.3 million and Thilafushi. It will use
passengers a year. renewable energy.
In 2022, the National College The project is funded by a
for Policing and Law grant of USD 100 million and a
Enforcement (NCPLE) was Line of Credit (LOC) of USD
inaugurated by India’s 400 million from India.
It is not only the biggest
External Affairs Minister.
project India is doing in the
NCPLE is the largest grant Maldives but also the biggest
project executed by India in infrastructure project in the
Maldives. Maldives overall.
 Operation Operation
Operation
operations Cactus 1988
Neer Sanjeevani
for Under Operation 2014 India supplied 6.2
Cactus the Indian
maldives Armed Forces tonnes of essential
have helped the
Under medicines to
government of Operation Neer Maldives, under
Maldives in the India supplied Operation
neutralization of drinking water Sanjeevani as
the coup to Maldives to assistance in the
attempt. fight against COVID
deal with the
19.
drinking water
crisis.
 Operation Operation
Operation
operations
Cactus 1988
Neer Sanjeevani
for
Under Operation 2014 India supplied 6.2
Cactus the Indian
maldives
Armed Forces tonnes of essential
have helped the
Under medicines to
government of Operation Neer Maldives, under
Maldives in the India supplied Operation
neutralization of drinking water Sanjeevani as
the coup to Maldives to assistance in the
attempt. fight against COVID
deal with the
19.
drinking water
crisis.
 Operation Operation
operations
Neer Sanjeevani
for
2014 India supplied 6.2
maldives tonnes of essential
Under medicines to
Operation Neer Maldives, under
India supplied Operation
drinking water Sanjeevani as
to Maldives to assistance in the
fight against COVID
deal with the
19.
drinking water
crisis.
 Operation Operation
operations
Neer Sanjeevani
for
2014 India supplied 6.2
maldives tonnes of essential
Under medicines to
Operation Neer Maldives, under
India supplied Operation
drinking water Sanjeevani as
to Maldives to assistance in the
fight against COVID
deal with the
19.
drinking water
crisis.
 ISSUE OF CHINA IN INDIA-
MALDIVE
01. Chinese Infrastructure 02. Shift in alliance
Investments
03. India’s concerns
 ISSUE OF CHINA IN INDIA-
MALDIVE
01. Chinese Infrastructure 02. Shift in alliance 03. India’s
Investments concerns
India has expressed
Maldives, like many The pro-China stance concerns about China's
other countries in the led to a shift in growing presence in the
Indian Ocean region, Maldives' traditional Indian Ocean region,
has been a recipient of foreign policy, which particularly in countries
Chinese infrastructure had typically been like Sri Lanka, Pakistan,
investments. closer to India. This shift and Maldives. The
Maldives have massive created apprehensions development of Chinese-
Chinese investment in India about China's controlled ports and
and became a growing influence in its military facilities in these
participant in China's immediate areas has been seen as a
Belt and Road Initiative neighborhood and the challenge to India's
(BRI). potential strategic strategic interests and
implications. regional security.
 OTHER ISSUES
01. India's Countermeasures 02. Political devlopments
03.
India has responded by
Strategic Importance
With the election of Maldives' strategic
President Ibrahim location in the Indian
intensifying its
Mohamed Solih in 2018, Ocean, along key
diplomatic and strategic
who is seen as more maritime routes,
engagement with
inclined towards India, continues to make it
Maldives and other
there has been a shift in strategically significant
Indian Ocean nations. It
Maldives' foreign policy for both India and
has provided economic
back towards India. China. As a result, both
assistance, undertaken
Solih's government has countries are likely to
infrastructure projects,
sought to balance closely monitor
and expanded defense
relations between India developments in
cooperation to
and China while Maldives and vie for
strengthen its influence
maintaining traditional influence in these
in the region
ties with India. regions.
 OTHER ISSUES
01. India's Countermeasures 02. Political devlopments
03. Strategic Importance
India has responded by
With the election of Maldives' strategic
President Ibrahim location in the Indian
intensifying its
Mohamed Solih in 2018, Ocean, along key
diplomatic and strategic
who is seen as more maritime routes,
engagement with
inclined towards India, continues to make it
Maldives and other
there has been a shift in strategically significant
Indian Ocean nations. It
Maldives' foreign policy for both India and
has provided economic
back towards India. China. As a result, both
assistance, undertaken
Solih's government has countries are likely to
infrastructure projects,
sought to balance closely monitor
and expanded defense
relations between India developments in
cooperation to
and China while Maldives and vie for
strengthen its influence
maintaining traditional influence in these
in the region
ties with India. regions.
 OTHER ISSUES
01. India's Countermeasures 02. Political devlopments
03. Strategic Importance
India has responded by
With the election of Maldives' strategic
President Ibrahim location in the Indian
intensifying its
Mohamed Solih in 2018, Ocean, along key
diplomatic and strategic
who is seen as more maritime routes,
engagement with
inclined towards India, continues to make it
Maldives and other
there has been a shift in strategically significant
Indian Ocean nations. It
Maldives' foreign policy for both India and
has provided economic
back towards India. China. As a result, both
assistance, undertaken
Solih's government has countries are likely to
infrastructure projects,
sought to balance closely monitor
and expanded defense
relations between India developments in
cooperation to
and China while Maldives and vie for
strengthen its influence
maintaining traditional influence in these
in the region
ties with India. regions.
 GEOGRAPHY OF
MALDIVES

Maldives, a Toll Gate in the Indian Ocean: Located at

the southern and northern parts of this island chain
lies the two important sea lanes of communication
(SLOCs).
These SLOCs are critical for maritime trade flow
between the Gulf of Aden and Gulf of Hormuz in West
Asia and the Strait of Malacca in Southeast Asia.
Physical geography primarily consists of Coral Reefs
and Atolls and most of the area is under Exclusive
Economic Zones (EEZs)
Maldives primarily consists of an archipelago of low
lying islands, which has been threatened due to rising
sea rise.
Eight Degree Channel separates Indian Minicoy (part
of Lakshadweep Islands) from that of Maldives.
 MALDIVES
Maldives, a Toll Gate in the Indian
Ocean: Located at the southern and
northern parts of this island chain lies
the two important sea lanes of
communication (SLOCs).
These SLOCs are critical for maritime
trade flow between the Gulf of Aden and
Gulf of Hormuz in West Asia and the
Strait of Malacca in Southeast Asia.
Physical geography primarily consists of
Coral Reefs and Atolls and most of the
area is under Exclusive Economic Zones
(EEZs)
Maldives primarily consists of an
archipelago of low lying islands, which
has been threatened due to rising sea
rise.
Eight Degree Channel separates Indian
 MALDIVES
Maldives, a Toll Gate in the Indian
Ocean: Located at the southern and
northern parts of this island chain lies
the two important sea lanes of
communication (SLOCs).
These SLOCs are critical for maritime
trade flow between the Gulf of Aden and
Gulf of Hormuz in West Asia and the
Strait of Malacca in Southeast Asia.
Physical geography primarily consists of
Coral Reefs and Atolls and most of the
area is under Exclusive Economic Zones
(EEZs)
Maldives primarily consists of an
archipelago of low lying islands, which
has been threatened due to rising sea
rise.
Eight Degree Channel separates Indian
 MALDIVES
Maldives, a Toll Gate in the Indian
Ocean: Located at the southern and
northern parts of this island chain lies
the two important sea lanes of
communication (SLOCs).
These SLOCs are critical for maritime
trade flow between the Gulf of Aden and
Gulf of Hormuz in West Asia and the
Strait of Malacca in Southeast Asia.
Physical geography primarily consists of
Coral Reefs and Atolls and most of the
area is under Exclusive Economic Zones
(EEZs)
Maldives primarily consists of an
archipelago of low lying islands, which
has been threatened due to rising sea
rise.
Eight Degree Channel separates Indian
 MALDIVES
Maldives, a Toll Gate in the Indian
Ocean: Located at the southern and
northern parts of this island chain lies
the two important sea lanes of
communication (SLOCs).
These SLOCs are critical for maritime
trade flow between the Gulf of Aden and
Gulf of Hormuz in West Asia and the
Strait of Malacca in Southeast Asia.
Physical geography primarily consists of
Coral Reefs and Atolls and most of the
area is under Exclusive Economic Zones
(EEZs)
Maldives primarily consists of an
archipelago of low lying islands, which
has been threatened due to rising sea
rise.
Eight Degree Channel separates Indian
WHY MALDIVES HATING INDIA?
WHY MALDIVES HATING INDIA?
WHY MALDIVES HATING INDIA?
WHY MALDIVES HATING INDIA?
WHY MALDIVES HATING INDIA?
WHY MALDIVES HATING INDIA?
 THE STORY OF THE MALDIVES
ABDULLAH LUTHUFI
MAUMOON ABDUL GAYOOM
IN 1988 ...

When the president of maldives was Maumoon

abdul Gayoom, there was a wealthy business
man named abdullah luthufi wanted to replace
president gayoom in order to take the political
order under his hands.
• THE SRI LANKAN COUP
Now for doing the same luthufii callend
upon for some merceneries from sri lanka
and in 1980 and 1983 with the help of the
sri lankan mercineri forces he also tried to
do coup but was ultimately failed.
 3rd NOVEMBER 1988
• The sri lankan mercenaries were sucessful in capturing the political order
under their hands and these mercenery forces broke out into all the
governmnet oficiall buildings and also took possesion of the presedential
palce of maldives. The merceneries then made their way towards the
presidential palce but before they can they culd seize president gayoom he
was escorted by the maldivian national security adivisor of the defense
minister’s home where he was escorted to a safe house on falling to secure
the president gayoom requested for millitay interventions from nearby
countries such as... but initially all refused stating the reason for lack of
millitay forces. president also contacted up UK whose president advised
him to take help from INDIA and he probably did and INDIA aceppted in
helping maldives The Indian paratroopers immediately secured the airfield,
crossed over to Malé using commandeered boats and rescued President
Gayoom. The paratroopers restored control of the capital to President
Gayoom's government within hours. Some of the mercenaries fled toward
Sri Lanka in a hijacked freighter.
SRI LANKA
SINGAPORE
MALAYSIA
THE STORY STARTS......
In 2008 the maldivian democratic party wins a clear majority and
forms the government, and just in the next year 2009 Mohammed
nasheed signs the indo-maldivian act with India. The actual motive
of signing this pact with india was very clear to counter up the
incresed influence of the chinese in Indian ocean. For that India was
also about to set up 26 radars in in the maldives so that both the
countries can do survellience in the ocean. India also took permisson
for making a airforce hellipad station up for maldives.
Now if we see we can find that both countries got benefits by
signing this pact like India in the Indian ocean reigon can do the
survellience for china and can detour it up and maldives will also be
able to use the hellipad air force station as an air ambulance during
the medical emergencies with maritime security. But in 2009 as soon
as the pact was signed the opposition of the maldives THE
PROGRESSIVE PARTY OF THE MALDIVES started a
propoganda against the nasheed government
THE STORY STARTS......
In 2008 the maldivian democratic party wins a clear majority and
forms the government, and just in the next year 2009 Mohammed
nasheed signs the indo-maldivian act with India. The actual motive
of signing this pact with india was very clear to counter up the
incresed influence of the chinese in Indian ocean. For that India
was also about to set up 26 radars in in the maldives so that both
the countries can do survellience in the ocean. India also took
permisson for making a airforce hellipad station up for maldives.
Now if we see we can find that both countries got benefits by
signing this pact like India in the Indian ocean reigon can do the
survellience for china and can detour it up and maldives will also
be able to use the hellipad air force station as an air ambulance
during the medical emergencies with maritime security. But in
2009 as soon as the pact was signed the opposition of the maldives
THE PROGRESSIVE PARTY OF THE MALDIVES started a
propoganda against the nasheed government
THE STORY STARTS......
In 2008 the maldivian democratic party wins a clear majority and
forms the government, and just in the next year 2009 Mohammed
nasheed signs the indo-maldivian act with India. The actual
motive of signing this pact with india was very clear to counter
up the incresed influence of the chinese in Indian ocean. For that
India was also about to set up 26 radars in in the maldives so that
both the countries can do survellience in the ocean. India also
took permisson for making a airforce hellipad station up for
maldives.
Now if we see we can find that both countries got benefits by
signing this pact like India in the Indian ocean reigon can do the
survellience for china and can detour it up and maldives will also
be able to use the hellipad air force station as an air ambulance
during the medical emergencies with maritime security. But in
2009 as soon as the pact was signed the opposition of the
maldives THE PROGRESSIVE PARTY OF THE MALDIVES
started a propoganda against the nasheed government
THE STORY STARTS......
In 2008 the maldivian democratic party wins a clear majority
and forms the government, and just in the next year 2009
Mohammed nasheed signs the indo-maldivian act with India.
The actual motive of signing this pact with india was very
clear to counter up the incresed influence of the chinese in
Indian ocean. For that India was also about to set up 26 radars
in in the maldives so that both the countries can do
survellience in the ocean. India also took permisson for
making a airforce hellipad station up for maldives.
Now if we see we can find that both countries got benefits by
signing this pact like India in the Indian ocean reigon can do
the survellience for china and can detour it up and maldives
will also be able to use the hellipad air force station as an air
ambulance during the medical emergencies with maritime
security. But in 2009 as soon as the pact was signed the
opposition of the maldives THE PROGRESSIVE PARTY OF
THE MALDIVES started a propoganda against the nasheed
government
RESONS FOR THE INDIA OUT
A year later, in 2010, Indian corporation
GMR undertook a project of upgrading and
operating the Malé international Afraid of being arrested after resigning
airportWhen the firm ended up in a legal from his position, Nasheed took shelter
dispute for imposing a development fee on in the Indian High Commission in
Maldivian nationals, it got the unofficial 2013,triggering even more anti-India
support of President Nasheed. The rhetoric from the opposition parties and
opposition used the controversy to build the protesting public. His successor,
nationalist sentiments against India and Mohammed Waheed, used the GMR
accused Nasheed of corruption and misusing fiasco and the High Commission standoff
democratic institutions. This issue, along to further nationalist sentiments and
with economic and religious grievances, make himself relevant in the 2013
contributed to the December 2011 protests presidential elections.
and the subsequent resignation of Nasheed
in February 2012
RESONS FOR THE INDIA OUT
A year later, in 2010, Indian corporation
GMR undertook a project of upgrading and
operating the Malé international Afraid of being arrested after resigning
airportWhen the firm ended up in a legal from his position, Nasheed took shelter
dispute for imposing a development fee on in the Indian High Commission in
Maldivian nationals, it got the unofficial 2013,triggering even more anti-India
support of President Nasheed. The rhetoric from the opposition parties and
opposition used the controversy to build the protesting public. His successor,
nationalist sentiments against India and Mohammed Waheed, used the GMR
accused Nasheed of corruption and misusing fiasco and the High Commission standoff
democratic institutions. This issue, along to further nationalist sentiments and
with economic and religious grievances, make himself relevant in the 2013
contributed to the December 2011 protests presidential elections.
and the subsequent resignation of Nasheed
in February 2012
 REASONS FOR THE INDIA OUT

Following Yameen’s
election in 2013,
Maldives increased
its interactions with
China and in 2014
welcomed President
Xi Jinping for a visit
he made to court
support for the Belt
and Road Initiative
(BRI) project.
 REASONS FOR THE INDIA OUT

Following Yameen’s
As Indian and
election in 2013,
international
Maldives increased
criticism of Yameen’s
its interactions with
crackdown on
China and in 2014
domestic dissent and
welcomed President
opposition increased,
Xi Jinping for a visit
[9] the Maldivian
he made to court
president further
support for the Belt
moved closer to
and Road Initiative
China.
(BRI) project.
 REASONS FOR THE INDIA OUT

Following Yameen’s
As Indian and Despite officially
election in 2013,
international maintaining an
Maldives increased
criticism of Yameen’s ‘India First’ policy,
its interactions with
crackdown on Yameen leased
China and in 2014
domestic dissent and islands and
welcomed President
opposition increased, infrastructure
Xi Jinping for a visit
[9] the Maldivian projects to China
he made to court
president further and the two signed a
support for the Belt
moved closer to Free Trade
and Road Initiative
China. Agreement.
(BRI) project.
 REASONS FOR THE INDIA OUT

Following Yameen’s
As Indian and Despite officially
election in 2013, There were also
international maintaining an
Maldives increased negotiations to
criticism of Yameen’s ‘India First’ policy,
its interactions with establish a Joint
crackdown on Yameen leased
China and in 2014 Ocean
domestic dissent and islands and
welcomed President Observation
opposition increased, infrastructure
Xi Jinping for a visit Centre, which
[9] the Maldivian projects to China
he made to court would give China
president further and the two signed a
support for the Belt more relevance in
moved closer to Free Trade
and Road Initiative the region.
China. Agreement.
(BRI) project.
 REASONS MALDIVES
As Indian and
international criticism of
Yameen’s crackdown on
Following Yameen’s domestic dissent and
election in 2013, opposition increased,[9]

MALDIVES Maldives increased its

interactions with China
the Maldivian president
further moved closer to
and in 2014 welcomed China. Despite officially
President Xi Jinping for maintaining an ‘India
a visit he made to court First’ policy, Yameen
support for the Belt and leased islands and
Road Initiative (BRI) infrastructure projects to
project China and the two signed
a Free Trade Agreement.
 CHINA
REASONS MALDIVES RELATIONS
As Indian and
international criticism of There were also negotiations to
establish a Joint Ocean
Yameen’s crackdown on
Observation Centre, which
Following Yameen’s domestic dissent and would give China more
election in 2013, opposition increased,[9] relevance in the [Link] return,

MALDIVES
Maldives increased its
interactions with China
the Maldivian president
further moved closer to
China offered Maldives mega-
infrastructure projects and loans,
most of them under opaque terms
and in 2014 welcomed China. Despite officially
and conditions. By the end of
President Xi Jinping for maintaining an ‘India Yameen’s tenure in 2018, it was
a visit he made to court First’ policy, Yameen estimated that Maldives had
support for the Belt and leased islands and borrowed around US$ 1.5 billion
infrastructure projects to from China—of which only US$
Road Initiative (BRI) 600 million were the
project China and the two signed
government’s borrowings, and
a Free Trade Agreement. the remaining US$ 900 million
were sovereign guarantees
 CHINA REASON OF
MALDIVES RELATIONS WITHDRAWAL
As Indian and
international criticism of There were also negotiations to
establish a Joint Ocean Finding China to be a
Yameen’s crackdown on sound option for economic
Observation Centre, which
domestic dissent and would give China more and political survival,
opposition increased,[9] relevance in the [Link] return, Yameen went on an anti-
MALDIVES
the Maldivian president
further moved closer to
China offered Maldives mega-
infrastructure projects and loans,
India spree to further
nationalist sentiments. In
most of them under opaque terms
China. Despite officially 2018, his government
and conditions. By the end of
maintaining an ‘India Yameen’s tenure in 2018, it was asked India to withdraw
First’ policy, Yameen estimated that Maldives had its helicopters and
leased islands and borrowed around US$ 1.5 billion
operatives from the
infrastructure projects to from China—of which only US$
600 million were the country, accusing them of
China and the two signed espionage and violating
government’s borrowings, and
a Free Trade Agreement. the remaining US$ 900 million sovereignty.
were sovereign guarantees
CHINA REASON OF
RELATIONS WITHDRAWAL

There were also negotiations to

establish a Joint Ocean Finding China to be a
Observation Centre, which sound option for economic
would give China more and political survival,
relevance in the [Link] return, Yameen went on an anti-
MALDIVES
China offered Maldives mega-
infrastructure projects and loans,
India spree to further
nationalist sentiments. In
most of them under opaque terms
and conditions. By the end of 2018, his government
Yameen’s tenure in 2018, it was asked India to withdraw
estimated that Maldives had its helicopters and
borrowed around US$ 1.5 billion
operatives from the
from China—of which only US$
600 million were the country, accusing them of
government’s borrowings, and espionage and violating
the remaining US$ 900 million sovereignty.
were sovereign guarantees
REASON OF
WITHDRAWAL

Finding China to be a
sound option for economic
and political survival,
Yameen went on an anti-
MALDIVES
India spree to further
nationalist sentiments. In
2018, his government
asked India to withdraw
its helicopters and
operatives from the
country, accusing them of
espionage and violating
sovereignty.
 WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

India’s hesitancy to withdraw its There was a renewed focus on This has helped the ruling
helicopters within the given time the ‘India First’ policy where the alliance in promoting
escalated the anti-India rhetoricYet, two countries undertook projects development in the country while
it would only be after Yameen’s to improve the island state’s saving it from Yameen’s
electoral defeat in 2018 that the economic, social, and defence irrational borrowings that would
contemporary form of India Out capabilities The cooperation have led to a fall into China’s
would emerge. As Ibrahim Solih covers the sectors of roads and ‘debt-trap It is in this regard that
took over the presidency in 2018, he land reclamation; agriculture; the Sri Lankan crisis is often
sought to undo the political and sanitation and health; airport portrayed as a classic example of
economic damage caused to India- development; education; what could have happened if
Maldives relations by his transportation; housing and Yameen were in power
predecessor. Since then, a number of community development;
proposals from China, including defence; and maritime security
projects under the BRI, as well as the
FTA have been shelved.
 WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

India’s hesitancy to withdraw its There was a renewed focus on This has helped the ruling
helicopters within the given time the ‘India First’ policy where the alliance in promoting
escalated the anti-India rhetoricYet, two countries undertook projects development in the country while
it would only be after Yameen’s to improve the island state’s saving it from Yameen’s
electoral defeat in 2018 that the economic, social, and defence irrational borrowings that would
contemporary form of India Out capabilities The cooperation have led to a fall into China’s
would emerge. As Ibrahim Solih covers the sectors of roads and ‘debt-trap It is in this regard that
took over the presidency in 2018, he land reclamation; agriculture; the Sri Lankan crisis is often
sought to undo the political and sanitation and health; airport portrayed as a classic example of
economic damage caused to India- development; education; what could have happened if
Maldives relations by his transportation; housing and Yameen were in power
predecessor. Since then, a number of community development;
proposals from China, including defence; and maritime security
projects under the BRI, as well as the
FTA have been shelved.