India-Maldives relations
India-Maldives relations: India has expressed its commitment to engaging with the newly elected Maldives government on various issues, despite recent statements by Maldives President-elect Mohamed Muizzu regarding Indian military personnel stationed in the country.
Responding to President-elect Muizzu’s remarks, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) affirmed India’s intention to engage constructively with the incoming Maldives administration on all matters. Indian High Commissioner to Male Munnu Mahawar recently met with Mr. Muizzu and conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s congratulatory message on his electoral victory.
MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi stated, “Our High Commissioner in Male called on the President-elect, and he had a good discussion on various aspects of our bilateral relationship, including development cooperation.”
Bilateral Relationship and Development Cooperation
The MEA further emphasized the importance of India’s engagement with the Maldives. While the MEA did not specify India’s representation at Mr. Muizzu’s swearing-in ceremony, it reiterated India’s willingness to engage with the new Maldives government.
The Maldives recently witnessed a change in leadership as President-elect Muizzu, formerly the Mayor of Male, secured victory in a run-off election against incumbent President Solih. The election results, which reflected an 8% margin of victory, have been considered a shift in India-Maldives relations, as India had close ties with the Solih administration.
Campaign on “India Out” Plank
During his election campaign, President-elect Muizzu’s coalition, PNC-PPM, campaigned on an “India Out” platform. Muizzu expressed the importance of Maldives’ sovereignty and stated that the Maldivian people did not want Indian troops to remain in the country. He emphasized that foreign soldiers should not be present against the will and sentiments of the Maldivian people.
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President-elect Muizzu was quoted as saying, “The people have decided and don’t want Indian troops to stay in the Maldives. Therefore, foreign soldiers cannot be here against our sentiments, against our will.”
Indian Military Presence
India has maintained a substantial military presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) for several years. Indian naval and airforce personnel have been stationed on Addu and Lammu islands since 2013 to operate helicopters and Dornier aircraft on loan to the Maldives for reconnaissance purposes. As of November 2021, approximately 75 Indian military personnel were stationed in the Maldives.
Controversy Surrounding Coast Guard Project
India-Maldives relations: In February 2021, protests erupted in the Maldives opposition due to a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on maritime security signed by Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and the Maldives Defence Minister. The MoU aimed to construct a Coast Guard harbor base at the Uthuru Thilafalhu atoll. The project was inaugurated during a visit by Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in May 2021 and became a focal point of the “India Out” protests by the PPM coalition.
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While the MEA did not directly address President-elect Muizzu’s statements regarding Indian military personnel, it stressed the need for close collaboration between India and the Maldives. The two nations have a history of cooperation in capacity building and addressing shared regional challenges such as transnational crimes and humanitarian assistance disaster relief.
