DNA Edit: Clawing back – PM’s Maldives visit is an attempt to regain lost ground

Like most things with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his Maldives visit is tactical. He has chosen the opportunity to underline two pet themes — China and Pakistan, both of whom have varying degrees of interests in the tiny Indian Ocean archipelago. Maldives, which is seen as a classic case of being caught in China’s ‘debt trap’ diplomacy, was told by the Indian Prime Minister that New Delhi’s developmental partnership is intended to empower and not to increase dependence on others “to bury future generations under the burden of debt.” Modi’s remarks are significant because Maldives is still trying to figure out how much it owes to China, though several reports from capital Male suggest that former President Abdullah Yameen had pledged as much as 70 per cent of the country’s external debts to Beijing. 

One of the reasons why Modi did not visit Maldives during his first term, despite a pronounced Neighbourhood First policy, was the presence of Yameen, who made all attempts to play India against China. Modi has good reasons to be miffed with Yameen, who was instrumental in throwing out Indian military choppers from Male, reportedly at the behest of Beijing.  The Indian Prime Minister did well to bring up the terror question – without naming Pakistan — with the current President Ibrahim Solih. The subject has acquired a new resonance in Maldives, which is grappling with increasing radicalisation. While this year marks 54 years since diplomatic relations were established between the two countries, there is more to it than just political connect. The Indian Prime Minister has done well to make the point that politics apart, the two countries shared cultural values. Maldives has duly acknowledged the bilateral relationship, including diversified cooperation in maritime and health sectors.