Explained: Maldives Foreign Minister comes to India to mend strained ties

By Vritika Mathur

Maldives foreign minister Mohamed Asim arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday to meet foreign minister Sushma Swaraj and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. After months of diplomatic discomfort, this 3-day visit is an attempt to mend the setback followed by the signing of the FTA between the Maldives and China.

History

Bilateral relations between the Maldives and India have always that been of warmth and cooperation. Both nations established diplomatic ties after the Maldives attained independence in 1965. They remained close in terms of military, economic and strategic assistance. Located to the south of Lakshadweep Islands, the Maldives enjoys the friendship of India and has been granted urgent aid on several instances.

In 1988, PM Rajiv Gandhi sent 1600 troops to the Maldives following the coup that attempted to take place against the Maumoon Gayoom presidency. The operation consisted of the troops providing aid to the government, squashing the coup’s attempt and gaining control of the country. It was a widely successful mission which resulted in the further strengthening of ties between the two nations.

In 2014, the Maldives turned to India for help with a drinking water crisis plaguing the country. India displayed a strong effort for humanitarian relief as it sent heavy transporters carrying bottled water and ships that had desalination plants on board.

FTA between China and Maldives upsets India

Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) involve a basic amount of cooperation between two or more countries to reduce trade barriers, which subsequently lead to an increase in the trade of goods and services. The FTA as negotiated by China and the Maldives commits both sides to reduce tariffs on more than 95% of goods to zero. According to a statement released by the Maldives Presidential Office, this agreement will “enable exemption of duties on fisheries products exported to the world’s largest consumer market.”

Maldives’ President Abdulla Yameen had earlier made an assurance that the first FTA would be signed with India. Following the signing of the agreement with China, India made its displeasure visible leading to a setback in the relationship between the two countries. Owing to a contentious relationship between the two countries, the Indian Government is getting nervous as China is ramping up business ties across South Asia. It asked that the Maldives be sensitive to India’s concerns and keep in mind the “India First” policy.

China’s looming presence

A major worry for India is that the FTA will draw the Maldives into China’s security net. Despite the statement by President Yameen stating his intentions of keeping the country a “demilitarized zone”, three Chinese naval ships have docked in the Male harbour. There has also been a rapid growth in the relations between China and the Maldives in the form of development projects such as that of Hulhule Island and the “Friendship bridge” connected it to Male, the capital of the Maldives. India is thus wary of the sudden growth of China’s presence in the Indian Ocean.

Moreover, the hastened way in which the agreement was ratified in the Maldives Parliament further adds to India’s list of worries. Opposition members complained of not having received enough notice and questioned the legitimacy of the last-minute procedure.

Additional concerns of India

India is apprehensive regarding the FTA as it believes that it would push the Maldives into a debt trap similar to the one affecting Sri Lanka. In a statement released by the Maldives Parliament opposition, the Maldivian Democratic Party said, “We are deeply concerned that further entrenchment of the country into a Chinese debt trap will result in additional stress on strategic national assets and increasing instability in the Indian Ocean region.”

Foreign Minister Mohamed Asim met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday and discussed the ties between the two countries. Special Envoy Asim reiterated the commitment of the Maldives to the “India First” policy and reaffirmed their support towards India’s progress and security. He also extended President Yameen’s invitation to Prime Minister Modi to visit the Maldives.

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