Tensions have been growing between India and the much smaller Maldives for over ten years. This strained relationship escalated when three junior ministers from the Maldivian government posted disrespectful comments on social media about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the Lakshadweep islands. What followed after that, strained the relations further. It is important to address several aspects of this issue between India and Maldives promptly.
Key Issues
- Strategic Importance: The Maldives, a chain of 27 coral atolls spread over 900 km in the southern Indian Ocean, holds immense strategic importance for India’s maritime security. Despite its significance, India’s maritime initiatives have been inconsistent due to a lack of a national security strategy and a continued focus on land-based threats.
- Chinese Naval Expansion: China’s clear intention to expand its naval power poses a serious concern. With its bases already extending to Hainan in the south, China will have a superior position. It’s noteworthy that until 1976, the British controlled a Royal Air Force base on Gan Island in the Maldives, later moving to Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.
- Political and Religious Factors: China’s political and economic influence, along with Pakistan’s use of religious persuasion, has played a significant role in straining the relationship between India and the Maldives. However, India too needs introspection.
- Indian Diplomacy: The Maldives, being Asia’s smallest country with a population of just half a million, is naturally sensitive to domineering attitudes from larger nations. India needs to tread carefully in this regard, respecting the Maldives’ autonomy while fostering a strong relationship.
India and China: The Geopolitical Chess Game
India and China are both vying for influence in the Indo-Pacific region. Rather than focusing solely on border disputes, India needs to consider the larger geopolitical competition. China is at a disadvantage in the Indian Ocean Region due to its distance from key locations. For instance, Male is roughly 6,000 km from China’s nearest port, Hainan, but only 700 km from Kochi in India. It would take a ship travelling at 15 knots about one and a half days to reach Male from Kochi, but over 10 days from Hainan.
- India’s Advantage: Proximity and Swift Support:The benefits of having a supportive neighbour like India should be clear to the Maldives. India was the first to respond and provide help during the attempted coup in 1988, the tsunami in 2004, and the drinking water crisis in 2014. While respecting the Maldives’ concerns, India should leverage this geographical advantage.
- China’s Strategy: Protecting Trade Routes at All Costs: China, however, as the world’s largest trading nation, has its own obligations. Its economy and industry heavily rely on continually secured seaborne trade. In this context, the Indian Ocean sea routes are vital for China, comparable to a “jugular vein” that must be protected. To ensure this, China has developed potential maritime footholds in the Indian Ocean Region, such as Hambantota in Sri Lanka, Gwadar in Pakistan, and leased a military/naval base in Djibouti. This is where the necessity for China to keep India in check arises, and why it’s crucial for them to secure the Maldives as an ally in the Indian Ocean Region.
Maritime Diplomacy: A Vital Instrument
Maritime diplomacy is an essential tool that augments traditional diplomatic channels. The Indian Navy has a special role in this respect, as outlined in the Maritime Doctrine. Its mission is to shape the maritime environment to foster national interests in harmony with foreign policy and national security objectives.
Challenges and Progress
In the past, the Indian Navy had to deny many requests for help, training, and naval resources from neighbouring maritime countries. These missed opportunities were due to bureaucratic delays and funding shortages. However, significant changes have come about since 2005-06.
The Naval HQ established a new organisation, led by a high-ranking admiral, focused solely on foreign cooperation. This initiative helped supply patrol boats, aircraft, and helicopters to neighbouring countries such as Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and the Maldives. These actions have had a lasting and positive impact on maritime diplomacy.
The SAGAR Initiative
In 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the concept of “security and growth for all in the region,” abbreviated as SAGAR. It symbolises a comprehensive approach to regional maritime cooperation. However, the underlying principles of SAGAR have yet to be fully articulated. It may be time to develop SAGAR into a comprehensive and new maritime doctrine. This doctrine should guide regional diplomacy, both maritime and traditional, giving it a clear direction and purpose.
Source: India-Maldives row frames the need for India’s long neglected marine doctrine, Indian Express, January 11