India and Maldives have finally reset their relationship with the visit of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to the country on March 18. It was the first time since the two sides held the full-fledged bilateral meeting in Malé since the new government came to power in Maldives after the September election. Swaraj and her counterpart Abdulla Shahid took stock of the bilateral engagement covering all areas of common interests and expressed their earnest desire to consolidate and expand ties.

In a normal course, the visit of Swaraj could have been treated as a regular diplomatic affair. But in the light of the tension between Malé and New Delhi when President Abdulla Yameen declared a state of emergency in the country in February 2018, Swaraj’s trip assumes significance. While President Mohammed Waheed Hassan had cancelled the contract signed with GMR, an Indian company in 2012, Yameen showed interest in strengthening ties with China. This can be gauged from the fact that Yameen endorsed China’s Maritime Silk Road. The two countries also signed the Free Trade Agreement in December 2017. A new law was passed by Maldives, allowing absolute foreign ownership of land on the conditions that interested parties would make a minimum investment of $1 billion dollar and reclaim 70 per cent land from the sea, which aimed at benefiting China in expanding its foothold in the Indian Ocean. Around the same time, in August 2018, Yameen also asked India to withdraw its military helicopters and personnel posted in Maldives.

Thus, when a democratically elected government led by President Ibrahim Solih assumed power in September last year, it was a great relief for India. PM Narendra Modi attended the swearing-in ceremony of President Solih. In December that year, President Ibrahim Solih paid a state visit to India, with the two sides reiterating their strong commitment to further strengthen and reinvigorate the traditionally strong and friendly relations between India and the Maldives. The visit of Swaraj was the latest development in redefining the engagement between the two sides.

Of course, given then President Yameen’s pro-China policy, it was felt in India that China, with its strategically Pakistan, could use the Maldives as a strategic choke point for India. The threat from Pakistan-backed fundamentalists is no less serious. Wahabi Islam has made rapid inroads into Maldives and the growth of terror modules in that country has raised concerns in the Indian strategic community. It is in this context that Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid reaffirming his government’s “India-First Policy and commitment to working together closely with India” is a big diplomatic relief for India.

Maldives has emerged as one of the most important neighbours of India in geo-strategic and economic terms. It is situated mid-way between Strait of Malacca and Suez, which are the world’s busiest trade routes. At the same time, as Kerala and Lakshadweep are in close proximity to the Maldivian islands, India is cautious about the possible use of Maldives’s territory against it. The two sides have agreed to strengthen cooperation to enhance maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region through coordinated patrolling and aerial surveillance, exchange of information and capacity building.

But, given the fact that Maldives is a dept-redden country with $3 billion loans to repay, Malé needs major investment boost by India. Mindful of this reality, while PM Modi had announced financial assistance up to $1.4 billion in the form of budgetary support, currency swap and concessional lines of credit to fulfil the socio-economic development programmes of the Maldives, during Swaraj’s visit the Export-Import Bank of India decided to extend $800 million credit to Maldives to finance developmental projects. They have agreed on the need to boost private sector involvement, and the Maldives-India Business Forum will be held in 2019. Memorandum of Understanding regarding Indian Grant Assistance for Implementation of High Impact Community Development Projects through Local Bodies and memorandum of understanding (MOUs) on collaboration in the field of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy were signed to strengthen developmental projects in Maldives.

Undoubtedly, there is a marked positive shift in the relationship between India and Maldives in the last four months and it should be hoped that while the roots of democracy will be deepened in Maldives, Malé would not allow any third country to determine the fate of its historically cherished ties with India. 
 
(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-india-maldives-ties-revived-after-a-spell-of-uncertainty-2733957">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

India and Maldives have finally reset their relationship with the visit of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to the country on March 18. It was the first time since the two sides held the full-fledged bilateral meeting in Malé since the new government came to power in Maldives after the September election.

India and Maldives have finally reset their relationship with the visit of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to the country on March 18. It was the first time since the two sides held the full-fledged bilateral meeting in Malé since the new government came to power in Maldives after the September election. Swaraj and her counterpart Abdulla Shahid took stock of the bilateral engagement covering all areas of common interests and expressed their earnest desire to consolidate and expand ties. In a normal course, the visit of Swaraj could have been treated as a regular diplomatic affair. But in the light of the tension between Malé and New Delhi when President Abdulla Yameen declared a state of emergency in the country in February 2018, Swaraj’s trip assumes significance. While President Mohammed Waheed Hassan had cancelled the contract signed with GMR, an Indian company in 2012, Yameen showed interest in strengthening ties with China. This can be gauged from the fact that Yameen endorsed China’s Maritime Silk Road. The two countries also signed the Free Trade Agreement in December 2017. A new law was passed by Maldives, allowing absolute foreign ownership of land on the conditions that interested parties would make a minimum investment of $1 billion dollar and reclaim 70 per cent land from the sea, which aimed at benefiting China in expanding its foothold in the Indian Ocean. Around the same time, in August 2018, Yameen also asked India to withdraw its military helicopters and personnel posted in Maldives. Thus, when a democratically elected government led by President Ibrahim Solih assumed power in September last year, it was a great relief for India. PM Narendra Modi attended the swearing-in ceremony of President Solih. In December that year, President Ibrahim Solih paid a state visit to India, with the two sides reiterating their strong commitment to further strengthen and reinvigorate the traditionally strong and friendly relations between India and the Maldives. The visit of Swaraj was the latest development in redefining the engagement between the two sides. Of course, given then President Yameen’s pro-China policy, it was felt in India that China, with its strategically Pakistan, could use the Maldives as a strategic choke point for India. The threat from Pakistan-backed fundamentalists is no less serious. Wahabi Islam has made rapid inroads into Maldives and the growth of terror modules in that country has raised concerns in the Indian strategic community. It is in this context that Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid reaffirming his government’s “India-First Policy and commitment to working together closely with India” is a big diplomatic relief for India. Maldives has emerged as one of the most important neighbours of India in geo-strategic and economic terms. It is situated mid-way between Strait of Malacca and Suez, which are the world’s busiest trade routes. At the same time, as Kerala and Lakshadweep are in close proximity to the Maldivian islands, India is cautious about the possible use of Maldives’s territory against it. The two sides have agreed to strengthen cooperation to enhance maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region through coordinated patrolling and aerial surveillance, exchange of information and capacity building. But, given the fact that Maldives is a dept-redden country with $3 billion loans to repay, Malé needs major investment boost by India. Mindful of this reality, while PM Modi had announced financial assistance up to $1.4 billion in the form of budgetary support, currency swap and concessional lines of credit to fulfil the socio-economic development programmes of the Maldives, during Swaraj’s visit the Export-Import Bank of India decided to extend $800 million credit to Maldives to finance developmental projects. They have agreed on the need to boost private sector involvement, and the Maldives-India Business Forum will be held in 2019. Memorandum of Understanding regarding Indian Grant Assistance for Implementation of High Impact Community Development Projects through Local Bodies and memorandum of understanding (MOUs) on collaboration in the field of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy were signed to strengthen developmental projects in Maldives. Undoubtedly, there is a marked positive shift in the relationship between India and Maldives in the last four months and it should be hoped that while the roots of democracy will be deepened in Maldives, Malé would not allow any third country to determine the fate of its historically cherished ties with India. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

India-Maldives ties revived after a spell of uncertainty

The Maldives has seen a major change in the last few months. On November 17 Ibrahim Mohamed Solih took oath as new President in which India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the only head of state as a guest.&nbsp;The New President will be visiting India in December.&nbsp;Meanwhile, in an exclusive conversation with WION's Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Siddhant Sibal, the new Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid spoke at length about the expectation of the new Maldives government from India, Maldives-China Free Trade agreement, Indo-Pacific concept among other things.

WION: How do you characterise the current India-Maldives ties?

Abdulla Shahid: Thank you very much. It's a pleasure to be here in Delhi. My first visit after taking office. I had the opportunity to receive PM Modi at the airport upon his arrival at the stadium in which President Solih took the oath of office. The warmth with which people of Maldives received PM Modi on his arrival characterises the new era in India Maldives ties. The Modi-Solih meet was characterised by warmth, closeness and sincerity. I was in the meeting and I see nothing but success in years to come

WION: What kind of assistance would you expect from India?

Abdulla Shahid: As you know President Yameen's dictatorship had taken the country to the brink of bankruptcy. We need generous assistance from the Indian government to overcome the difficulties we are facing. We need budgetary assistance. We also need to deliver on the campaign promises we have made. The pledges of development need to be delivered. In order to do that.. we need general assistance.

WION: The India Maldives Joint statement called for security and peace in the Indian ocean. What are the threats the region faces?

Abdulla Shahid: Our region is key to maritime throughout the world. All the ships that travel between the African continent and northeast Pacific go through our waters. We have a responsibility. We have seen increased piracy in the Indian ocean. We have seen increased tension within the Indian ocean, be it the rivalry between neighbouring countries or rivalry between Indian ocean interested countries, we need to simmer it down. We need to make the Indian Ocean a zone of less tension and free access to all.

WION: How do you see the Indo-pacific concept and the quad?

Abdulla Shahid: We are fully involved in the Indo-Pacific concept of free access. In order for intl trade to increase, we need openness. We can't, in this day and age, draw lines or sea lanes.&nbsp;

WION: Your take on the Quad and statements made after the meet in Singapore on the country?

Abdulla Shahid: &nbsp;Statements shows they are concerned about the dictatorship that was in the Maldives.

WION: Indians faced a lot of visa restrictions. Will those be relaxed now?

Abdulla Shahid: When I meet my counterpart I will disc ease of visa restrictions for Maldivian nationals and Indian nationals. I think both are countries must come to an agreement on visa easing. Hoping to sign a new agreement during President Solih's visit in December

WION: So president Solih is coming to India in December?

Abdulla Shahid: The new president will bring a message of goodwill of returning India-Maldives relation to normalcy. We recognise the long-standing generosity of the Indian government that will be the message President Solih will bring.

WION: You defence minister has already told WION that Indian helicopters are needed. How important are they to your country?

Abdulla Shahid: These helicopters have been used for humanitarian missions. Total of 164 patients has been airlifted from remote islands to Male. We as a seafaring nation, we lose people in the sea. In having these machines on site, will help us launch missions more easily.

WION: What are the key foreign policy decisions you will be taking?

Abdulla Shahid: The foreign policy created by Yameen is a total disaster. The Maldives has been sidelined. The Maldives lost its credibility internationally, nobody listens to what the Maldives says. We as the chairman of the alliance of the small island in the last 2 years have not done anything. We have played into the hands of the people who want climate change debate to be sidelined. Two years as the chair of the alliance we became disreputed. We will be vocal again on climate change. We will be vocal on environment issues internationally. Last time we wanted to contest for human rights commission in Geneva under Yameen, we didn't get it due to disastrous track record. We will go back and establish our self as the lead country on human rights issue within the UN. We are joining the Commonwealth. The Maldives left commonwealth since it asked Yameen government to get back in the main folds of democracy and human rights. Commonwealth is an association or group of countries to promote human rights, democracy and good governance.

Parliament will endorse the cabinet decision and president will write to the commonwealth to rejoin it. Through it, our young people will get a lot of opportunities.

WION: No discussion is over without mentioning China. How will be the ties between New govt and China?

Abdulla Shahid: &nbsp;President Yameen tried to play India against China and China against India. He wanted to be a puppet master. India and China are much larger in capacity to see through what president Yameen was trying to do. President Yameen's failure came through because of the manner he dealt with relations. We will not try to be a puppet master. We know better. We should have good relations with both.&nbsp;

I know that both India and China will respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Maldives. None of these countries would be interested in making the Maldives part of theirs. They will be interested in sitting down with us as equals and discuss issues. I see that is the direction we have to go. We have to keep in mind that our closest neighbour is India. The country which has delivered assistance to us. India will also in the future help us not because of geographical proximity only but because of a long-lasting friendship. We had a water crisis in Male, and Indian navy helped us overcome the difficulty. Because of the proximity and nature of the relationship between two countries, India has the tendency to immediately help us without a second thought. It's the nature of the relationship. These are eg of past. In future, I see nothing but good will.&nbsp;

WION: Will you relook at Maldives China FTA?

Abdulla Shahid: FTA was rushed through the parliament. I was in the parliament that time and I was not informed of the session. Many of my collogues did not know seating was taking place until it was over. Parliament or the parliamentary committee took less than 15 minutes also to review the 100-page document. It is unreasonable to believe that such a document can be reviewed in such little time. Now I am the foreign minister and I'm supposed to comment on the document which I don't think is fair. So I will get my officials to go through the document and advice the government. I will get the new attorney general to look at it. It is fair that we go in an agreement of that nature of that importance after knowing what it has.

WION: How much the Maldives owes to China?

Abdulla Shahid: &nbsp;Finance minister was in parliament on Thursday and was asked the same question. He answered that figures don't tally. He said he was getting different figures from different departments. As soon as the FM is in a position to tell, I'll be in a better position to start comparing how much we owe to China and other countries. All we know up to now is that Yameen government has been most irresponsible in borrowing and taking us to the edge of the debt burden

WION: Your take on China's one belt and one road initiative?

Abdulla Shahid: Integration of economies of all countries of the region has to be thought about. The interest of the not only one country should be given priority. We will be looking into the integration of India, Sri Lanka and other countries of the region.&nbsp;

WION: One country in the region continues to indulge in cross-border terror and SAARC has been defunct due to this?

Abdulla Shahid: &nbsp;Terror is an issue that we need to address. We need to address at a regional level and international level. So the more we shy away from addressing it, the more, we damage the core values we sort to promote. We need to address the issue at the regional level.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The Maldives has seen a major change in the last few months. On November 17 Ibrahim Mohamed Solih took oath as new President in which India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the only head of state as a guest.

The Maldives has seen a major change in the last few months. On November 17 Ibrahim Mohamed Solih took oath as new President in which India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the only head of state as a guest. The New President will be visiting India in December. Meanwhile, in an exclusive conversation with WION's Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Siddhant Sibal, the new Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid spoke at length about the expectation of the new Maldives government from India, Maldives-China Free Trade agreement, Indo-Pacific concept among other things. WION: How do you characterise the current India-Maldives ties? Abdulla Shahid: Thank you very much. It's a pleasure to be here in Delhi. My first visit after taking office. I had the opportunity to receive PM Modi at the airport upon his arrival at the stadium in which President Solih took the oath of office. The warmth with which people of Maldives received PM Modi on his arrival characterises the new era in India Maldives ties. The Modi-Solih meet was characterised by warmth, closeness and sincerity. I was in the meeting and I see nothing but success in years to come WION: What kind of assistance would you expect from India? Abdulla Shahid: As you know President Yameen's dictatorship had taken the country to the brink of bankruptcy. We need generous assistance from the Indian government to overcome the difficulties we are facing. We need budgetary assistance. We also need to deliver on the campaign promises we have made. The pledges of development need to be delivered. In order to do that.. we need general assistance. WION: The India Maldives Joint statement called for security and peace in the Indian ocean. What are the threats the region faces? Abdulla Shahid: Our region is key to maritime throughout the world. All the ships that travel between the African continent and northeast Pacific go through our waters. We have a responsibility. We have seen increased piracy in the Indian ocean. We have seen increased tension within the Indian ocean, be it the rivalry between neighbouring countries or rivalry between Indian ocean interested countries, we need to simmer it down. We need to make the Indian Ocean a zone of less tension and free access to all. WION: How do you see the Indo-pacific concept and the quad? Abdulla Shahid: We are fully involved in the Indo-Pacific concept of free access. In order for intl trade to increase, we need openness. We can't, in this day and age, draw lines or sea lanes. WION: Your take on the Quad and statements made after the meet in Singapore on the country? Abdulla Shahid: Statements shows they are concerned about the dictatorship that was in the Maldives. WION: Indians faced a lot of visa restrictions. Will those be relaxed now? Abdulla Shahid: When I meet my counterpart I will disc ease of visa restrictions for Maldivian nationals and Indian nationals. I think both are countries must come to an agreement on visa easing. Hoping to sign a new agreement during President Solih's visit in December WION: So president Solih is coming to India in December? Abdulla Shahid: The new president will bring a message of goodwill of returning India-Maldives relation to normalcy. We recognise the long-standing generosity of the Indian government that will be the message President Solih will bring. WION: You defence minister has already told WION that Indian helicopters are needed. How important are they to your country? Abdulla Shahid: These helicopters have been used for humanitarian missions. Total of 164 patients has been airlifted from remote islands to Male. We as a seafaring nation, we lose people in the sea. In having these machines on site, will help us launch missions more easily. WION: What are the key foreign policy decisions you will be taking? Abdulla Shahid: The foreign policy created by Yameen is a total disaster. The Maldives has been sidelined. The Maldives lost its credibility internationally, nobody listens to what the Maldives says. We as the chairman of the alliance of the small island in the last 2 years have not done anything. We have played into the hands of the people who want climate change debate to be sidelined. Two years as the chair of the alliance we became disreputed. We will be vocal again on climate change. We will be vocal on environment issues internationally. Last time we wanted to contest for human rights commission in Geneva under Yameen, we didn't get it due to disastrous track record. We will go back and establish our self as the lead country on human rights issue within the UN. We are joining the Commonwealth. The Maldives left commonwealth since it asked Yameen government to get back in the main folds of democracy and human rights. Commonwealth is an association or group of countries to promote human rights, democracy and good governance. Parliament will endorse the cabinet decision and president will write to the commonwealth to rejoin it. Through it, our young people will get a lot of opportunities. WION: No discussion is over without mentioning China. How will be the ties between New govt and China? Abdulla Shahid: President Yameen tried to play India against China and China against India. He wanted to be a puppet master. India and China are much larger in capacity to see through what president Yameen was trying to do. President Yameen's failure came through because of the manner he dealt with relations. We will not try to be a puppet master. We know better. We should have good relations with both. I know that both India and China will respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Maldives. None of these countries would be interested in making the Maldives part of theirs. They will be interested in sitting down with us as equals and discuss issues. I see that is the direction we have to go. We have to keep in mind that our closest neighbour is India. The country which has delivered assistance to us. India will also in the future help us not because of geographical proximity only but because of a long-lasting friendship. We had a water crisis in Male, and Indian navy helped us overcome the difficulty. Because of the proximity and nature of the relationship between two countries, India has the tendency to immediately help us without a second thought. It's the nature of the relationship. These are eg of past. In future, I see nothing but good will. WION: Will you relook at Maldives China FTA? Abdulla Shahid: FTA was rushed through the parliament. I was in the parliament that time and I was not informed of the session. Many of my collogues did not know seating was taking place until it was over. Parliament or the parliamentary committee took less than 15 minutes also to review the 100-page document. It is unreasonable to believe that such a document can be reviewed in such little time. Now I am the foreign minister and I'm supposed to comment on the document which I don't think is fair. So I will get my officials to go through the document and advice the government. I will get the new attorney general to look at it. It is fair that we go in an agreement of that nature of that importance after knowing what it has. WION: How much the Maldives owes to China? Abdulla Shahid: Finance minister was in parliament on Thursday and was asked the same question. He answered that figures don't tally. He said he was getting different figures from different departments. As soon as the FM is in a position to tell, I'll be in a better position to start comparing how much we owe to China and other countries. All we know up to now is that Yameen government has been most irresponsible in borrowing and taking us to the edge of the debt burden WION: Your take on China's one belt and one road initiative? Abdulla Shahid: Integration of economies of all countries of the region has to be thought about. The interest of the not only one country should be given priority. We will be looking into the integration of India, Sri Lanka and other countries of the region. WION: One country in the region continues to indulge in cross-border terror and SAARC has been defunct due to this? Abdulla Shahid: Terror is an issue that we need to address. We need to address at a regional level and international level. So the more we shy away from addressing it, the more, we damage the core values we sort to promote. We need to address the issue at the regional level.

With China tilt over, Maldives says it is looking for 'generous aid' from India

In conversation with Abdulla Shahid, Foreign Minister, Maldives

Foreign Minister of the Maldives Abdulla Shahid will arrive today on a four-day visit, with an aim to repair the bilateral ties which came under severe strain during the previous government in the island nation.

Officials said External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will hold extensive talks with Mr Shahid on Monday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had attended the swearing-in ceremony of Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on November 17 in Male.

During their meeting, PM Modi and Mohamed Solih vowed to renew close ties and friendship between the two countries and agreed on the importance of maintaining peace and security in the Indian Ocean region.

Mohamed Solih, as the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party's candidate, had surprisingly defeated strongman Abdulla Yameen in the presidential election held on September 23.

India-Maldives ties came under strain under &nbsp;Abdulla Yameen who was perceived to be close to China. Some decisions by &nbsp;Abdulla Yameen including imposition of restrictions on work visas for Indians and signing of a new Free Trade Agreement with Beijing also did not go down well with New Delhi.

Relations between India and the Maldives deteriorated further after &nbsp;Abdulla Yameen imposed emergency on February 5 this year.

India had criticised his decision and asked his government to restore the credibility of the electoral and political process by releasing political prisoners. The emergency lasted for 45 days.

Foreign Minister of the Maldives Abdulla Shahid will arrive today on a four-day visit, with an aim to repair the bilateral ties which came under severe strain during the previous government in the island nation.

Foreign Minister of the Maldives Abdulla Shahid will arrive today on a four-day visit, with an aim to repair the bilateral ties which came under severe strain during the previous government in the island nation. Officials said External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will hold extensive talks with Mr Shahid on Monday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had attended the swearing-in ceremony of Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on November 17 in Male. During their meeting, PM Modi and Mohamed Solih vowed to renew close ties and friendship between the two countries and agreed on the importance of maintaining peace and security in the Indian Ocean region. Mohamed Solih, as the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party's candidate, had surprisingly defeated strongman Abdulla Yameen in the presidential election held on September 23. India-Maldives ties came under strain under Abdulla Yameen who was perceived to be close to China. Some decisions by Abdulla Yameen including imposition of restrictions on work visas for Indians and signing of a new Free Trade Agreement with Beijing also did not go down well with New Delhi. Relations between India and the Maldives deteriorated further after Abdulla Yameen imposed emergency on February 5 this year. India had criticised his decision and asked his government to restore the credibility of the electoral and political process by releasing political prisoners. The emergency lasted for 45 days.

Maldivian foreign minister to visit India today

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India-Maldives ties revived after a spell of uncertainty

With China tilt over, Maldives says it is looking for 'generous aid' from India

In conversation with Abdulla Shahid, Foreign Minister, Maldives

Maldivian foreign minister to visit India today