Maldivian President Muizzu addressing at the official ceremony held at the 59th anniversary of independence expressed his sincere gratitude to India and China for their support to strengthen his country’s fragile economy and ease its debt crisis. He affirmed to forge stronger ties with India and hopes to sign a free trade agreement. He even stated that India continues to remain Maldives’ closest ally.
President Mohamed Muizzu took a reconciliatory tone after ties between both the states deteriorated early this year leading to a diplomatic rift.
Previously Maldivian President Muizzu displayed anti-India rhetoric
President Muizzu ran the electoral campaign on the line of anti-India rhetoric. The shift in Maldives foreign policy from India First under former President Ibrahim Solih to India-out under current President Muizzu.
President Muizzu came to power on a promise to remove Indian Army personnel stationed in Maldives to operate helicopters and surveillance aircrafts that India has gifted to the Maldives. Indian troops were mainly providing medical support to the distant islands of the Maldives. He also exited from a long convention by not making his first official visit to India and rather went to Turkey, followed by China.
And then the diplomatic row over derogatory remarks of Maldivian ministers’ in response to PM Modi’s post on X ( formally Twitter) promoting tourism for Lakshadweep. Following the upheaval many Indians called off their holiday plans and boycotted Maldives as a tourist destination. The Muizzu administration distanced itself from the remarks, declaring their opinions personal and not representing the views of Maldivian government. The three Deputy Ministers were later sacked amid the row with India.
Changing stance of President Muizzu
In June, pro-China President Muizzu made his first official visit to India to attend PM Modi’s swearing-in-ceremony. This acceptance indicated that the bilateral ties are heading in a positive direction.
Maldivian President Muizzu thanked India for extending budgetary support of $50million to boost the economy and ease its debt crisis. India has also provided food quotas for more than two years.
Maldives have also resumed using the aircraft and helicopters gifted by India for medical evacuation services. He declared their commencement of services yesterday while addressing the official ceremony of the 59th Independence day.
Talks on free trade agreement are ongoing with the UK , there is hope to establish the same with India
It is too early to say that President Muizzu is shifting its stance towards India. Recently Maldives had signed a defense cooperation agreement which offers free military assistance and also fosters stronger bilateral ties. The island state will also get free “non-lethal” military equipment and training under the newly military pact to enhance their defense cooperation.
Maldives like small nations of South Asia is balancing the key players
Maldives need to navigate the complex tussle between major powers. It is a small island nation but remains significant because of its proximity to major shipping routes that connect sea trade from Asia to Europe. President Muizzu has surely distanced his government from India to some extent but it does not mean it has fully sided with China.
Most small nations in South Asia have taken the same stance, their national interests do not lie with siding with any one power rather to balance influence of both India and China.
Maldives does not want to replace India with China, but rather seeks to secure the best deal out of the two.
