News Analysis India

Tag: India-Maldives Row

  • ‘Apology To PM Modi, People Of India’: Maldives Opposition Leader To President Mohamed Muizzu | world news

    MALE: The leader of the Maldives Jumhooree Party (JP), Qasim Ibrahim, has issued a strong call for Maldivian President Mohammed Muizzu to formally apologize to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India. This call comes amid escalating diplomatic tensions between the two countries following controversial remarks made after President Muizzu’s recent visit to China.

    Diplomatic Strain Over ‘India Out’ Campaign

    Ibrahim highlighted the importance of diplomatic decorum, especially with neighboring nations, stressing that statements impacting bilateral relationships should be avoided. He pointed out the need to uphold national obligations, referencing President Solih’s decisive action in banning the “India Out” campaign, which was deemed a threat to national security.

    “Regarding any country, especially a neighboring one, we shouldn’t speak in a way that affects the relationship. We have an obligation to our state that must be considered. President Solih did consider this obligation and issued a Presidential Decree banning the “India Out” campaign. Now, Yameen is questioning why Muizzu, who participated with him in the India Out Campaign, has not nullified the Presidential Decree,” he said.

    He added, “The Decree should not be nullified, as it would only result in a loss to the nation. That cannot be done. I would tell Muizzu that it shouldn’t be done. Also, I call on President Muizzu to formally apologize to the Indian government and Prime Minister Modi regarding his remarks after the China trip.”

    Opposition’s Campaign Against Muizzu

    The ‘India Out’ campaign, spearheaded by former President Abdulla Yameen’s Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), has been a contentious issue, alleging Indian military presence as a violation of sovereignty. This campaign, perceived as targeting President Solih and the Maldivian Democratic Party, aimed to exploit anti-India sentiments.

    Withdrawal Of Indian Troops

    Recent diplomatic efforts have seen India and the Maldives agree to expedite the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the island nation. This move aligns with President Muizzu’s party’s campaign promise and underscores evolving bilateral dynamics.

    Attack On PM Modi And Diplomatic Fallout

    Disparaging remarks made by Maldivian officials regarding Prime Minister Modi’s policies, notably concerning Lakshadweep’s development, stirred diplomatic tensions. Despite government disavowal of these statements, they underlined underlying frictions.

    Legal battles and political maneuvers continue, with the Attorney General’s Office registering a case over amendments enabling opposition lawmakers to impeach President Muizzu. Changes in parliamentary standing orders have altered the impeachment threshold, reflecting the fluid political landscape.

    The Power Game In Maldives

    With parliamentary polls scheduled for 2024, political parties are maneuvering to consolidate power. The amendment to parliamentary standing orders reflects strategic calculations as opposition parties seek to leverage political dynamics in their favour. The Maldives navigates a complex geopolitical landscape, balancing domestic politics with regional alliances, amid calls for diplomatic reconciliation and internal political restructuring.

  • Maldives President Mohammad Muizzu Under Fire Over ‘Anti-India’ Stance, Opposition Calls It ‘Detrimental’ To Development |

    MALE: Amid escalating tensions in India-Maldives relations, triggered by President Mohammad Muizzu’s call for the withdrawal of Indian troops from Maldivian waters, coupled with diplomatic clashes over derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, two opposition parties, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and The Democrats, have come together in condemning the government’s pronounced anti-India pivot.

    A Stark Shift In Foreign Policy Sparks Opposition Outcry

    In a joint press statement, the MDP and The Democrats vehemently expressed their concern, denouncing the foreign policy shift as ‘extremely detrimental’ to the nation’s long-term development. The statement reiterated the Opposition’s belief that alienating a longstanding ally like India poses a significant threat to the country’s progress.

    Opposition’s Emphasis On Stability And Security In the Indian Ocean

    The Opposition emphasized the indispensable role of stability and security in the Indian Ocean for the overall well-being of the Maldives. Stressing the historical collaboration with India, they underscored the critical need for successive governments to maintain relationships with all development partners for the benefit of the Maldivian people.

    China’s Growing Influence And Indian Concerns

    Recent reports of a Chinese research vessel heading to the Maldives have raised eyebrows, especially following President Muizzu’s recent state visit to China. The Maldives Ministry of Foreign Affairs reassured that the country welcomes vessels from ‘friendly nations,’ but concerns have been voiced in New Delhi, given the historical context of similar situations in Sri Lanka in 2022.

    Agreement To Fast-Track Indian Troops Withdrawal

    On January 14, India and the Maldives reached an agreement to expedite the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the island nation. This move aligns with Muizzu’s election promise and has led to heightened tensions, considering the longstanding military cooperation between the two countries.

    Row Over Disparaging Remarks On PM Modi And Lakshadweep Visit

    A significant dispute unfolded after a Maldivian deputy minister and other officials made derogatory references to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep and his vision for developing the region into a global beach tourism destination.

    Government’s Attempt To Distance Itself From Controversy 

    Maldivian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Moosa Zameer, swiftly distanced the government from the disparaging remarks, labeling them as “unacceptable” and clarifying that they do not reflect the official position of the government. The incident adds to the complexity of the evolving diplomatic scenario between India and the Maldives.

  • India, Maldives Agree To ‘Fast-Track Withdrawal Of Indian Troops’: Maldives Foreign Ministry | India News

    MALE: In a major diplomatic development, India and the Maldives have reached a consensus to fast-track the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the island nation. The decision emerged from the first meeting of the High-Level Core Group between the two countries, held in Male’ on Sunday.

    BILATERAL COOPERATION REVIEW AND DISCUSSIONS

    At the meeting hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Maldives, both sides meticulously reviewed their existing bilateral cooperation. The discussions encompassed a broad spectrum of mutual interests, with a particular focus on development cooperation, as detailed in the press release by the Maldives’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    WILLINGNESS TO INTENSIFY COOPERATION

    Expressing a shared commitment to intensify cooperation, both nations agreed on the swift withdrawal of Indian military personnel. The official statement emphasized this joint decision, and plans were set for the second meeting of the High-Level Core Group at a time convenient for both parties.

    AVIATION PLATFORMS AND ONGOING PROJECTS

    Earlier in the day, the Ministry of External Affairs disclosed that discussions also revolved around finding a mutually workable solution to sustain the operation of Indian aviation platforms, crucial for providing humanitarian and medical evacuation services to the people of the Maldives. The talks further extended to enhancing bilateral cooperation and expediting the implementation of ongoing projects.

    MALDIVES PRESIDENT’S MARCH 15 DEADLINE FOR TROOPS WITHDRAWAL

    Local media in the Maldives reported that President Mohamed Muizzu urged the Indian government to withdraw its troops from the island nation before March 15. Notably, this move aligns with Muizzu’s party’s campaign promise, making the removal of Indian troops a focal point.

    FOLLOWING THROUGH ON CAMPAIGN PROMISE

    Muizzu, soon after assuming office, officially requested the Indian government to withdraw its military personnel from the Maldives. Last December, he claimed that, after a constructive dialogue with the Indian government, an agreement had been reached to withdraw Indian military personnel, marking a significant development in the diplomatic relations between the two nations.

  • ‘We May Be Small But No One Has License To Bully Us’: Maldives President Amid Row With India | India News

    MALE: Returning from his high-profile five-day state visit to China, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu took an apparent dig at India, emphasizing that the size of his nation doesn’t grant others the authority to bully them. Muizzu’s statement follows a diplomatic dispute with India over derogatory social media posts by three Maldivian ministers targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    Oceanic Sovereignty

    President Muizzu, known for his pro-China stance, asserted Maldives’ significance, highlighting its extensive exclusive economic zone of 900,000 square km. He declared, “This ocean does not belong to a specific country. This (Indian) Ocean also belongs to all countries situated in it,” in a veiled reference to India.

    ‘We Aren’t In Anyone’s Backyard’

    Addressing the media on his return, Muizzu emphasized, “We aren’t in anyone’s backyard. We are an independent and sovereign state,” reaffirming Maldives’ autonomy amid regional tensions.

    Strategic Agreements With China

    During his visit to China, Muizzu engaged in discussions with President Xi Jinping, culminating in the signing of 20 agreements. The joint statement highlighted mutual support in safeguarding core interests, emphasizing China’s backing for Maldives’ sovereignty and opposition to external interference.

    China’s Financial Assistance To Male

    China has extended substantial support to Maldives, granting USD 130 million in assistance. Muizzu revealed that the funds would primarily be allocated to the redevelopment of roads in the capital, Male. This support follows the elevation of bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership.

    China’s Ambassador to Maldives, Wang Lixin, outlined three key factors contributing to the robust ties between the two nations: mutual political trust, alignment with President Xi’s initiatives, and adherence to the principles of extensive consultation, joint construction, and shared benefits.

    Diplomatic Challenges With India

    Muizzu’s visit to China was overshadowed by a diplomatic row with India, stemming from derogatory remarks by Maldivian ministers against Prime Minister Modi. Additionally, a report by the EU Election Observation Mission accused the ruling coalition of deploying anti-India sentiments and spreading disinformation in the 2023 presidential elections.

    Despite the diplomatic tensions, China and Maldives signed a USD 50 million agreement for an integrated tourism zone in Hulhumale’ and the construction of 30,000 social housing units in Rasmale’. Further collaborations include the development of a 100-bed tertiary hospital in Vilimale’, signaling an expanded and sustained cooperation between the two nations.

    Agreement On Flight Operations

    During the visit, an agreement was reached to permit Maldives’ national airline, Maldivian, to conduct domestic flight operations in China. This move adds a new dimension to the growing partnership between the two countries.

    The significance of this collaboration becomes even more pronounced considering the historical context, with India’s substantial contributions to the development of Maldives, including the establishment and enhancement of the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Male.

  • Maldives Opposition Leader Stresses On ‘Tougher Stand To Repair’ Ties With India | world news

    Amid the setback for the Maldives’ tourism industry, not only the tourism bodies of the island nation but even the opposition leaders are now mounting pressure on the Muizzu government to mend ties with India before it gets too late. Amid the diplomatic row after disparaging comments against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Male ministers, the Government of India not only raised the issue officially but lodged a strong protest by summoning the Maldives ambassador to India.

    Amid the ongoing row, opposition leader and the Chairperson of the Maldivian Democratic Party, Fayyaz Ismail, has called for a “tougher stand” by the Muizzu government. He said that the racist comments against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were just isolated individual opinions of these people. He also underlined how the entire matter has reached a lot of Indians as well as Maldivians, due to easy accessibility of social media.

    “I personally believe the government should take a tougher stand on that because this goes beyond government to government. Now, because of the easy accessibility of social media, this has reached to a lot of Indians and to a lot of Maldivians. And as arguments take over from both side, there has been a lot of insults coming back and forth. So the government needs to show that there was no intention on the part of the government. These were just isolated individual opinions of these people who, unfortunately, were given positions in the government. So that needs to be clearly shown to the Indians, to the Maldivians, and to the entire world at large,” he told ANI.

    On the other hand, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu is on a China visit where he is likely to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and sign key agreements. During this visit, Muizzu has urged China to increase tourists to the island nation. China has also reacted sharply to the diplomatic row by accusing India of ‘Hegemonic Mentality’ and ‘Lack Of Confidence’. China has earlier said that it never asked Maldives to reject India.

    On January 2, PM Modi visited the Union Territory of Lakshadweep and shared several pictures, including an ‘exhilarating experience’ of him trying his hand at snorkelling. In a series of posts on your list.”

    In a post that has now been deleted, the Maldivian Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Mariyam Shiuna, made a mocking and disrespectful reference to PM Modi. Indians, including cricketers and film celebrities, have since come out in open support in promoting local beach destinations and other tourist spots. They also voiced support for PM Modi’s call for promoting beach tourism in Lakshadweep.

  • ‘No Zero-Sum Game’: Muizzu In Beijing, China Says ‘Never Asked Maldives To Reject India’ | India News

    BEIJING: In the wake of a diplomatic dispute between India and the Maldives following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Lakshadweep, China has called upon New Delhi to approach its South Asian neighbors with an ”open mind.” The Global Times, China’s state media, emphasized in an editorial that it considers the Maldives an ”equal partner and respects its sovereignty.”

    Maldives An Equal Partner: China

    The editorial affirms China’s respect for the friendly and cooperative relationship between the Maldives and India, recognizing the significance of Malé maintaining good relations with New Delhi. Contrary to speculation, Beijing clarified that it has never pressured the Maldives to reject India due to Sino-Indian conflicts. Furthermore, China views cooperation between the Maldives and India as neither unfriendly nor a threat, expressing willingness for trilateral cooperation.

    Not A Zero-Sum Game: China

    China emphasized that its cooperation with South Asian countries is not a “zero-sum game.” The editorial urged New Delhi to adopt a more open-minded approach, emphasizing the need to understand that China’s engagement in the region is not at the expense of India.

    Muizzu’s China Visit

    The Global Times addressed the misinterpretation by Indian media regarding President Muizzu’s visit to China before India. It highlighted that such speculations, assuming the order of visits reflects the importance of nations, reveal India’s perception of South Asia as its sphere of influence. President Muizzu’s decision to visit China first does not imply a pro-China and anti-India stance but rather signifies a normal state-to-state relationship. The editorial encouraged understanding this diplomatic move within the context of fostering healthy relations.

    Maldives Suspends Ministers Over Derogatory Remarks On PM Modi

    In a related development, three Maldivian ministers were suspended for making derogatory comments about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep. The Maldivian government distanced itself from these remarks, clarifying that they represented the ministers’ personal opinions and not the official stance.

    Tensions between India and the Maldives have escalated since President Muizzu assumed power, defeating his India-friendly predecessor. The strained relations, fueled by perceptions of Muizzu as a pro-China politician, have added complexity to the diplomatic landscape.

    President Muizzu Arrives In China

    President Muizzu, accompanied by his wife, visited the Xiamen Free Trade Zone in China’s Fujian province. During the visit, he is expected to hold talks with Chinese President Xi and sign several agreements, marking a new historical starting point in Sino-Maldivian relations.

    The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin, expressed optimism that the visit would provide strategic guidance for bilateral relations to reach new heights. As President Muizzu engages in diplomatic discussions and agreements, the international community awaits the outcomes of this significant visit.