Why is it in the News?

Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu has asked India to withdraw its military personnel from his country by March 15, a senior official said in Male on Sunday, nearly two months after Maldives sought their removal.

Context:

• Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has asked India to withdraw its military personnel from the Indian Ocean archipelago nation by mid-March.
• A high-level core group, set by both nations, to negotiate the withdrawal of troops held its first meeting at the Foreign Ministry in Male on Sunday with Indian High Commissioner Munu Mahawar present.
• President Muizzu had, during his presidential campaign, asserted that he would accomplish the removal of Indian troops from the Maldives, and had made a formal request to India to withdraw its military personnel soon after assuming office.

How many Indian troops are in the Maldives?

• India does not have a large military presence in the Maldives contrary to claims by “India Out” protesters that thousands of Indian troops were stationed.
• There are only 88 Indian military personnel in the Maldives, according to the latest government figures.
  • They have been based there for more than a decade.

What are Indian troops doing in the Maldives?

• India and Maldives have been allies and defence cooperation has been a crucial part of the relationship.
• Indian soldiers have been training Maldivian troops in combat and reconnaissance and helping in rescue operations.
• According to the terms of the bilateral agreement between the two nations, Indian officers were sent to train the Maldivian National Defence Force.
• The Indian troops are unarmed and mostly assist the Maldivian government with search and evacuation operations, (and) medical evacuation operations.
• From January 2019 until late 2023, 495 lives have been saved because of medical evacuations and special training conducted by the Indian personnel in the Maldives with the help of two helicopters gifted by India.
• Also, at least 50 joint search and rescue missions have been conducted.

Have Indian troops conducted military operationss in the Maldives?

• Yes, Indian troops conducted one military operation in the Maldives in November 1998 called “Operation Cactus”.
• A group of Maldivians led by businessman Abdullah Luthufi attempted a coup to overthrow the government of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.
  • They had the backing of Sri Lanka’s People’s Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE), a Tamil secessionist group.
• At least 80 mercenaries of the group entered Male on 3 November 1988 on board a hijacked Sri Lankan fighter.
  • They captured key infrastructure – airports, ports, television and radio stations.
  • While Gayoom was escorted to a safe house, the mercenaries took several hostages including ministers.
• As the situation escalated in the Maldives, India’s chief of army staff General VN Sharma got a call from the foreign service officer at the Prime Minister’s Office.
  • He asked if the Indian army could help as there was an emergency in the Maldives.
• Indis agreed and three armed forces – the army, navy, and air force came to the neighbour's rescue.
  • Two hostages were among 19 killed during Operation Cactus.
  • The rest of the casualties were mercenaries.
• India, thus, helped in thwarting a major political crisis in the Indian Ocean Region.

Anti-India sentiments among a section of the Maldives’ population:

• In 2020, the “India Out” campaign started as on-ground protests in the Maldives which later spread widely across social media platforms.
  • By the second half of 2021, it had developed into an active and visible political campaign.
• The supporters of the campaign had claimed that it had been started to protest against what they called Indian military presence in the country.
• They had actively targeted all aspects of India-Maldives bilateral relations.
• During the International Yoga Day celebration in 2022, organised by the Indian High Commission in the capital Male which was held at the Galolhu Stadium was disrupted by a group around 150 of protesters.
  • The mob attacked participants practising yoga and vandalised property.

What are the major factors behind the fear and suspicion?

• The controversy started after two Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters were given by India to the Maldives in 2010 and 2015.
  • These were used for search and rescue operations, maritime weather surveillance and for airlifting patients.
  • However, some in Progressive Party of Maldives  (PPM) hinted that India was attempting to create a military presence in Maldives as these were military choppers.
• The other causes of concern are the perceived lack of transparency in dealings with India under the rule of Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and the reliance on India for maritime security.
• UTF Harbour Project: Under this agreement, India was to develop and maintain a coastguard harbour and dockyard at Uthuru Thilafalhu, a strategically located atoll near the capital Malé.
  • Sections of Maldivian media had speculated that the UTF project would be turned into an Indian naval base.

India-Maldives Bilateral Relations:

• India and Maldives share strong ties encompassing ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious, and commercial dimensions, fostering close and multi-faceted relations.
• The historical trajectory of their relationship is marked by significant milestones:

• Diplomatic Relations: India, recognizing Maldives' independence in 1965, established diplomatic ties promptly.
  • During the 1988 coup attempt, India's rapid intervention under Operation Cactus solidified trust and laid the groundwork for enduring bilateral relations.
  • Timely assistance during natural calamities, such as the 2004 Tsunami and the 2014 water crisis, showcased India's commitment to the well-being of the Maldives.
  • The Swift dispatch of medical aid in 2020 during a measles outbreak demonstrated India's continuous support.
• Security and Defence Cooperation: A comprehensive Defence Action Plan was signed in April 2016, consolidating defence collaboration.
  • India plays a crucial role in training the Maldivian National Defence Force, meeting 70% of their training needs over the last decade.
  • Annual Defence Cooperation Dialogues, initiated in July 2016, underscore the strategic partnership.
• Development Cooperation: India's significant developmental contributions include projects like:
  • Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital
  • Maldives Institute of Technical Education (now Maldives Polytechnic)
  • India-Maldives Faculty of Hospitality & Tourism Studies
  • Technology Adoption Programme in the Education Sector
  • National College for Police and Law Enforcement
  • Infrastructure & Connectivity Projects under Exim Bank Line of Credit ($800 million)
• Economic and Trade Relations: India emerged as Maldives' second-largest trade partner in 2022, with bilateral trade totalling $501.82 million.
  • In November 2022, India provided financial assistance of US$ 100 million to address economic challenges.
  • The RBI-Maldives Monetary Authority Currency Swap Agreement in December 2022 further strengthened economic ties.
• Tourism and Indian Community: Indians constitute the largest group of tourists in the Maldives, with over 200,000 visitors in 2023.
  • The Indian community, the second-largest expatriate group, contributes significantly to various sectors, with approximately 22,000 individuals.
  • Notably, 25% of doctors and teachers in the Maldives are Indian nationals.
  • The India-Maldives relationship continues to evolve, reflecting shared values, mutual interests, and a commitment to fostering prosperity and stability in the region.

What does President Muizzu want?

• Muizzu is a pro-China leader and wants Indian troops to leave the country.
• This was among the pre-poll promises he made during his campaign.
• His main theme was about an alleged threat to the Maldives’ sovereignty by some Indian military personnel on an island, part of his party’s years-long “India out” strategy.
• After his just-concluded visit to China, President Muizzu, announced plans to reduce the country’s dependency on India, including securing imports of essential food commodities and medicine and consumables from other countries.
• Maldives is also reportedly reviewing more than 100 bilateral agreements with India signed by the previous government.

Way Forward

The trajectory of India-Maldives relations is shaped by evolving geopolitical dynamics, leadership shifts, and shared regional interests. India's steadfast commitment to the Maldives involves going beyond customary measures to foster a comprehensive partnership. Any abrupt actions jeopardizing this carefully cultivated alliance would potentially inflict more harm on the Maldives than on India. Recognizing and proactively addressing these challenges, both nations can skillfully navigate the intricacies of their relationship, paving the way for a more robust, resilient, and mutually advantageous partnership in the future.