At the recently concluded 4th Indian Ocean conference, Maldives’s foreign minister Abdulla Shahid aptly said, “To think of the Maldives is to think of the Indian Ocean. More than 99 per cent&nbsp;of Maldives is water…” The nation of islands played host to over 200 delegates and representatives from over 40 countries during the conference, with significant ministerial and secretarial presence from as many as twenty countries. In addition to the host country’s president, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, the Sri Lankan Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, also addressed the participants. The Indian delegation was led by External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar.

A garland of islands — or Maladvipa in Sanskrit and Malaitheevu in Tamil — what could be a better description of the tiny tropical nation, Maldives? With less than half a million people inhabiting only a few of the 1192 beautiful coral islands spread across some 90,000 square kilometres, Maldives is one of the most dispersed nations in the world. It is also the lowest, with an average height of just 1.5 metres above the sea, its tallest natural point only 5 metres or less than 15 feet high.

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With Male as its capital, this sparsely inhabited country of islands was a Sultanate for nearly 850 years. Before their conversion in the 12th century C.E. which created the Islamic kingdom, Maldivians were largely Hindu-Buddhist for centuries. Three years after its independence from the British on July 26, 1965, Maldives declared itself a democratic Republic. Almost equidistant from Africa to its West and Indonesia to its East, Maldives occupies a strategic place bang in the middle of the Indian Ocean.

The island nation is not only remote and sparsely populated, it is also breathtakingly beautiful. The shallow circular coral atolls in the middle of the clean aquamarine waters give it an extraordinary natural environment, which is also immensely fragile and delicate. The Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami of December 2004 devastated the Maldives. Of the 1,000 islands, less than ten escaped flooding or destruction. Six islands were totally lost, while nearly sixty had to be fully evacuated. Several island resorts had to be closed. Tourism accounting for nearly 30 per cent&nbsp;of Maldives’ GDP was severely affected. Indeed, global warming and climate change could totally submerge the nation if the sea levels rise by just a few metres.

Given that its theme was “Securing the Indian Ocean Region: Tradition and Non-Traditional Challenges,” such environmental concerns, in addition to the usual political issues, came in for repeated discussions in this year’s Indian Ocean conference. In addition, several speakers addressed the imperative to maintain the Indian Ocean as a zone of peace and prosperity. What sort of regional and security architecture can be put into place to protect the region from piracy, human and drugs trafficking, not to mention the threat of terrorism? The near-consensus was that the rule of law on the high seas could only be guaranteed by the collective responsibility of a consortium of Indian ocean states. The undisputed, if often unspoken, fact that India would have to be the fulcrum in such as an arrangement was also underscored.

The strategic and economic importance of the Indian Ocean region can hardly be overestimated. With China and India alone accounting for 2.5 billion people, nearly half of the world’s population lives in the continental and littoral areas of the region. Each year, trillions of dollars of goods, especially a huge percentage of the world’s energy resources, pass through its waters in over 60,000 ships. No wonder, Ram Madhav, the brain behind the conference, called the Indian Ocean “the world’s most happening place.” In an op-ed published to coincide with the conference, he predicted that the “global axis of power is shifting eastwards” and unequivocally asserted that “the Indian Ocean is where India’s future lies.”

Organised by the India Foundation, the Indian Ocean conference has become an important forum to consolidate India’s natural, geo-political, and historical advantages. Given its plural democratic polity lead by a dynamic elected leadership plus growing economic and military clout, India must play a more decisive role in the region. This was emphasised by foreign minister Jaishankar in his presentation urging India to widen its horizons from the Indian Ocean to the larger Indo-Pacific ecumene. Jaishankar was sending a message to Indian strategic thinkers as well as to the diplomatic establishment that without quite challenging, or competing with, China, India need to take on more responsibilities.

Thinking, then acting East, helping to contribute to the blue ocean economy and increase its strategic influence is the way ahead for India. Given our deep civilizational and historical ties with countries and communities of the region, India is best suited to play such a pivotal role in the decades to come. For this strategizing our capabilities and working with reliable partners is crucial.

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-maldives-garland-of-coral-atolls-2787986">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

At the recently concluded 4th Indian Ocean conference, Maldives’s foreign minister Abdulla Shahid aptly said, “To think of the Maldives is to think of the Indian Ocean.

At the recently concluded 4th Indian Ocean conference, Maldives’s foreign minister Abdulla Shahid aptly said, “To think of the Maldives is to think of the Indian Ocean. More than 99 per cent of Maldives is water…” The nation of islands played host to over 200 delegates and representatives from over 40 countries during the conference, with significant ministerial and secretarial presence from as many as twenty countries. In addition to the host country’s president, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, the Sri Lankan Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, also addressed the participants. The Indian delegation was led by External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar. A garland of islands — or Maladvipa in Sanskrit and Malaitheevu in Tamil — what could be a better description of the tiny tropical nation, Maldives? With less than half a million people inhabiting only a few of the 1192 beautiful coral islands spread across some 90,000 square kilometres, Maldives is one of the most dispersed nations in the world. It is also the lowest, with an average height of just 1.5 metres above the sea, its tallest natural point only 5 metres or less than 15 feet high. WATCH | 'We need to rethink our role on planet if corals cannot be saved' × With Male as its capital, this sparsely inhabited country of islands was a Sultanate for nearly 850 years. Before their conversion in the 12th century C.E. which created the Islamic kingdom, Maldivians were largely Hindu-Buddhist for centuries. Three years after its independence from the British on July 26, 1965, Maldives declared itself a democratic Republic. Almost equidistant from Africa to its West and Indonesia to its East, Maldives occupies a strategic place bang in the middle of the Indian Ocean. The island nation is not only remote and sparsely populated, it is also breathtakingly beautiful. The shallow circular coral atolls in the middle of the clean aquamarine waters give it an extraordinary natural environment, which is also immensely fragile and delicate. The Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami of December 2004 devastated the Maldives. Of the 1,000 islands, less than ten escaped flooding or destruction. Six islands were totally lost, while nearly sixty had to be fully evacuated. Several island resorts had to be closed. Tourism accounting for nearly 30 per cent of Maldives’ GDP was severely affected. Indeed, global warming and climate change could totally submerge the nation if the sea levels rise by just a few metres. Given that its theme was “Securing the Indian Ocean Region: Tradition and Non-Traditional Challenges,” such environmental concerns, in addition to the usual political issues, came in for repeated discussions in this year’s Indian Ocean conference. In addition, several speakers addressed the imperative to maintain the Indian Ocean as a zone of peace and prosperity. What sort of regional and security architecture can be put into place to protect the region from piracy, human and drugs trafficking, not to mention the threat of terrorism? The near-consensus was that the rule of law on the high seas could only be guaranteed by the collective responsibility of a consortium of Indian ocean states. The undisputed, if often unspoken, fact that India would have to be the fulcrum in such as an arrangement was also underscored. The strategic and economic importance of the Indian Ocean region can hardly be overestimated. With China and India alone accounting for 2.5 billion people, nearly half of the world’s population lives in the continental and littoral areas of the region. Each year, trillions of dollars of goods, especially a huge percentage of the world’s energy resources, pass through its waters in over 60,000 ships. No wonder, Ram Madhav, the brain behind the conference, called the Indian Ocean “the world’s most happening place.” In an op-ed published to coincide with the conference, he predicted that the “global axis of power is shifting eastwards” and unequivocally asserted that “the Indian Ocean is where India’s future lies.” Organised by the India Foundation, the Indian Ocean conference has become an important forum to consolidate India’s natural, geo-political, and historical advantages. Given its plural democratic polity lead by a dynamic elected leadership plus growing economic and military clout, India must play a more decisive role in the region. This was emphasised by foreign minister Jaishankar in his presentation urging India to widen its horizons from the Indian Ocean to the larger Indo-Pacific ecumene. Jaishankar was sending a message to Indian strategic thinkers as well as to the diplomatic establishment that without quite challenging, or competing with, China, India need to take on more responsibilities. Thinking, then acting East, helping to contribute to the blue ocean economy and increase its strategic influence is the way ahead for India. Given our deep civilizational and historical ties with countries and communities of the region, India is best suited to play such a pivotal role in the decades to come. For this strategizing our capabilities and working with reliable partners is crucial. (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)

Maldives: Garland of Coral Atolls

Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s four-day visit to India has come at a time when India’s neighbourhood is in flux. The economic crisis in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal is creating greater instability in a region that is already experiencing perpetual strategic hostilities by Pakistan and China against India. 

Solih’s visit assumes importance since the Maldives is an important partner for India in the latter’s geopolitical competition against China in the Indian Ocean Region. India’s sustained diplomatic, economic and strategic engagements with Maldives and Solih’s favourable response to the same since his becoming president in 2018 have been crucial in India’s counterbalance strategy against China in South Asia. 

Solih’s visit to India combines continuity along with a reset in the India-Maldives relations. 

Continued engagements

Since Solih became the president in 2018, India has accelerated its engagements with Maldives. Solih’s predecessor Abdulla Yameen, during his tenure from 2013 to 2018, pushed Maldives closer to China and away from India. In 2015, the constitution of Maldives was amended which allowed foreigners to own properties in the Maldives. In 2017, a free trade agreement was finalized between Maldives and China. According to former President Mohamed Nasheed, Chinese debt was $3.1 billion which included government-to-government loans and money lent to state enterprises and private entities. Other experts differ on this and estimate the amount of debt owed by Maldives to China to be around $1.1 to 1.4 billion, still a substantial amount considering Maldives annual GDP to be about $4.9 billion. 

Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s victory in the 2018 presidential elections turned Maldivian foreign policy orientation towards India. India proactively responded to this opportunity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the oath-taking ceremony of Solih in November 2018. For his part, Solih chose India as the country of his first foreign visit as president in December 2018. Under Solih’s presidency, Maldives also prioritized relations with India under the India First Policy. This policy has been complemented by India’s Neighbourhood First Policy. 

Since 2018, India’s ties with Maldives have witnessed an upswing. &nbsp;Even as China vies to keep upper hand, India has been successful in making inroads in Maldives by way of economic assistance and infrastructure projects. 

During his recent visit to India, Solih and Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Greater Male connectivity projects in Maldives. India has provided $100 million in grant and $400 million under line of credit. India has also provided $100 million line of credit for development projects in Maldives. Solih’s visit also saw the two countries entering into agreements in the areas of cyber security, disaster management and police infrastructure development. 

India’s status as a favoured partner of Maldives stems from the fact that Indian economic assistance is not aimed at creating a debt trap, like China’s economic engagements. Further, Maldivian economy depends substantially on tourism. However, with the tourism suffering due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Maldives would need assistance for economic recovery on liberal terms which is available from India. 

Challenges to the bilateral relations 

While India has been consistent with its engagements with Maldives there are challenges to the bilateral relations. 

While India has made significant inroads in Maldives, India Out campaign had been gaining ground in Maldives for about past year. Former President Abdulla Yameen led this campaign that was backed by China. Yameen, who was sentenced to five years of imprisonment and a $5 million fine for embezzling $1 million from state funds, was released from house arrest in 2021. The court also cleared him of the embezzlement charges citing insufficient evidence. These developments mark Yameen’s return to politics and the upcoming 2023 presidential elections could decide the fate of the India-Maldives relations should Yameen contest and win. In a bid to counter the anti-India sentiments, Solih signed a decree in April this year stating India Out campaign as a threat to national security and allowing security agencies to take action against opposition parties spearheading this campaign. 

Another area of concern is the radicalization in Maldives. Maldives’ transition to democracy in 2008 also led to growing undercurrents of radicalization. Opposition parties blamed the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which won the 2008 elections, of ruining the sacred Islamic values. Further the of terror organization ISIS in the Middle East has contributed to radicalization in Maldives. The attack on former President Mohamed Nasheed has been linked to growing radical tendencies in Maldives. Maldives is the country with highest per capita foreign fighters in the world joining the ISIS. In June this year, a violent mob attacked an event organized by the Indian High Commission in Maldives to celebrate International Day of Yoga. This attack is believed to have carried out by the members of Abdulla Yameen’s Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM). Ilmuveringe Gulhun, an Islamic radical organization had called for stopping the celebrations of the International Day of Yoga as it goes against Islamic principles. 

Maldives is an important country in the Indian Ocean Region for India. India’s deep diplomatic, economic and strategic engagements with Maldives seek to address traditional as well as non-traditional security threats. &nbsp;It is pertinent for India to keep up with the engagements and at the same time make an effort to connect with the Maldivian people for greater acceptability. Such measures could lead to India sustaining a geopolitical advantage in Maldives.

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)&nbsp;

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Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s four-day visit to India has come at a time when India’s neighbourhood is in flux. The economic crisis in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal is creating greater instability in a region that is already experiencing perpetual strategic hostilities by Pakistan and China against India.

Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s four-day visit to India has come at a time when India’s neighbourhood is in flux. The economic crisis in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal is creating greater instability in a region that is already experiencing perpetual strategic hostilities by Pakistan and China against India. Solih’s visit assumes importance since the Maldives is an important partner for India in the latter’s geopolitical competition against China in the Indian Ocean Region. India’s sustained diplomatic, economic and strategic engagements with Maldives and Solih’s favourable response to the same since his becoming president in 2018 have been crucial in India’s counterbalance strategy against China in South Asia. Solih’s visit to India combines continuity along with a reset in the India-Maldives relations. Continued engagements Since Solih became the president in 2018, India has accelerated its engagements with Maldives. Solih’s predecessor Abdulla Yameen, during his tenure from 2013 to 2018, pushed Maldives closer to China and away from India. In 2015, the constitution of Maldives was amended which allowed foreigners to own properties in the Maldives. In 2017, a free trade agreement was finalized between Maldives and China. According to former President Mohamed Nasheed, Chinese debt was $3.1 billion which included government-to-government loans and money lent to state enterprises and private entities. Other experts differ on this and estimate the amount of debt owed by Maldives to China to be around $1.1 to 1.4 billion, still a substantial amount considering Maldives annual GDP to be about $4.9 billion. Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s victory in the 2018 presidential elections turned Maldivian foreign policy orientation towards India. India proactively responded to this opportunity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the oath-taking ceremony of Solih in November 2018. For his part, Solih chose India as the country of his first foreign visit as president in December 2018. Under Solih’s presidency, Maldives also prioritized relations with India under the India First Policy. This policy has been complemented by India’s Neighbourhood First Policy. Since 2018, India’s ties with Maldives have witnessed an upswing. Even as China vies to keep upper hand, India has been successful in making inroads in Maldives by way of economic assistance and infrastructure projects. During his recent visit to India, Solih and Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Greater Male connectivity projects in Maldives. India has provided $100 million in grant and $400 million under line of credit. India has also provided $100 million line of credit for development projects in Maldives. Solih’s visit also saw the two countries entering into agreements in the areas of cyber security, disaster management and police infrastructure development. India’s status as a favoured partner of Maldives stems from the fact that Indian economic assistance is not aimed at creating a debt trap, like China’s economic engagements. Further, Maldivian economy depends substantially on tourism. However, with the tourism suffering due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Maldives would need assistance for economic recovery on liberal terms which is available from India. Challenges to the bilateral relations While India has been consistent with its engagements with Maldives there are challenges to the bilateral relations. While India has made significant inroads in Maldives, India Out campaign had been gaining ground in Maldives for about past year. Former President Abdulla Yameen led this campaign that was backed by China. Yameen, who was sentenced to five years of imprisonment and a $5 million fine for embezzling $1 million from state funds, was released from house arrest in 2021. The court also cleared him of the embezzlement charges citing insufficient evidence. These developments mark Yameen’s return to politics and the upcoming 2023 presidential elections could decide the fate of the India-Maldives relations should Yameen contest and win. In a bid to counter the anti-India sentiments, Solih signed a decree in April this year stating India Out campaign as a threat to national security and allowing security agencies to take action against opposition parties spearheading this campaign. Another area of concern is the radicalization in Maldives. Maldives’ transition to democracy in 2008 also led to growing undercurrents of radicalization. Opposition parties blamed the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which won the 2008 elections, of ruining the sacred Islamic values. Further the of terror organization ISIS in the Middle East has contributed to radicalization in Maldives. The attack on former President Mohamed Nasheed has been linked to growing radical tendencies in Maldives. Maldives is the country with highest per capita foreign fighters in the world joining the ISIS. In June this year, a violent mob attacked an event organized by the Indian High Commission in Maldives to celebrate International Day of Yoga. This attack is believed to have carried out by the members of Abdulla Yameen’s Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM). Ilmuveringe Gulhun, an Islamic radical organization had called for stopping the celebrations of the International Day of Yoga as it goes against Islamic principles. Maldives is an important country in the Indian Ocean Region for India. India’s deep diplomatic, economic and strategic engagements with Maldives seek to address traditional as well as non-traditional security threats. It is pertinent for India to keep up with the engagements and at the same time make an effort to connect with the Maldivian people for greater acceptability. Such measures could lead to India sustaining a geopolitical advantage in Maldives. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Continuity and challenges in the India-Maldives relations

During Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's India visit, New Delhi rolled out the red carpet and during talks on Tuesday announced key deliverables on defence and infrastructure development. In a special gesture,&nbsp;despite Maldives President's visit being an official visit and not a state visit, an Indian minister received him, and he had a meeting with Indian President Droupadi Murmu.

On Monday, when he began his India visit, he was welcomed by the Minister of State for Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairying Sanjeev Balyan, along with Indian envoy to Maldives Munu Mahawar and Maldives envoy to Delhi Hussain Niyaz. On Tuesday evening, he held talks with Indian President Murmu, becoming the first foreign head of state to do so in person since the latter took charge last month.

In terms of deliverables on defence, India announced the supply of the second Landing Assault Craft (LCA) and a replacement ship for the earlier provided CGS Huravee for the Maldives National Defence Force. Additionally, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the press statement also announced the gifting of 24 utility vehicles to the Maldives National Defence Force.

PM Modi, in the press statement alongside President Solih, said, "Close contact and coordination between India and Maldives in the field of defence and security is vital for the peace and stability of the entire region. We have increased our cooperation against all these common challenges. It also includes capacity building and training support for Maldivian security officials."

India will be designing and constructing 61 police infrastructures across the Maldives even as both leaders "expressed satisfaction on the speedy progress" made in the pre-construction phase of the Coast Guard Harbour at SIFAVARU. India has built the National College for Policing and Law Enforcement (NCPLE) in Addu City which was inaugurated by EAM Jaishankar earlier this year during his visit to the country.

But the showstopper of the day was the "concrete laying" ceremony for the Greater Male connectivity project which will enhance mobility between Male’, Villingili, Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi. It is the largest infrastructure project in the country and is supported by India with a support of $500 million or around Rs 3900 cr. The project dwarfs the previous China Maldives friendship bridge project, a 1 km long bridge that connects the airport to the national capital Male. The project was awarded to AFCONS in August 2021.

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During Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's India visit, New Delhi rolled out the red carpet and during talks on Tuesday announced key deliverables on defence and infrastructure development.

During Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's India visit, New Delhi rolled out the red carpet and during talks on Tuesday announced key deliverables on defence and infrastructure development. In a special gesture, despite Maldives President's visit being an official visit and not a state visit, an Indian minister received him, and he had a meeting with Indian President Droupadi Murmu. On Monday, when he began his India visit, he was welcomed by the Minister of State for Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairying Sanjeev Balyan, along with Indian envoy to Maldives Munu Mahawar and Maldives envoy to Delhi Hussain Niyaz. On Tuesday evening, he held talks with Indian President Murmu, becoming the first foreign head of state to do so in person since the latter took charge last month. In terms of deliverables on defence, India announced the supply of the second Landing Assault Craft (LCA) and a replacement ship for the earlier provided CGS Huravee for the Maldives National Defence Force. Additionally, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the press statement also announced the gifting of 24 utility vehicles to the Maldives National Defence Force. PM Modi, in the press statement alongside President Solih, said, "Close contact and coordination between India and Maldives in the field of defence and security is vital for the peace and stability of the entire region. We have increased our cooperation against all these common challenges. It also includes capacity building and training support for Maldivian security officials." India will be designing and constructing 61 police infrastructures across the Maldives even as both leaders "expressed satisfaction on the speedy progress" made in the pre-construction phase of the Coast Guard Harbour at SIFAVARU. India has built the National College for Policing and Law Enforcement (NCPLE) in Addu City which was inaugurated by EAM Jaishankar earlier this year during his visit to the country. But the showstopper of the day was the "concrete laying" ceremony for the Greater Male connectivity project which will enhance mobility between Male’, Villingili, Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi. It is the largest infrastructure project in the country and is supported by India with a support of $500 million or around Rs 3900 cr. The project dwarfs the previous China Maldives friendship bridge project, a 1 km long bridge that connects the airport to the national capital Male. The project was awarded to AFCONS in August 2021. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Maldives President Visit: India announces deliverables on defence, infra; extends special gesture

Maldives lawmakers voted on Monday to dismiss the Chief Justice and a Supreme Court judge - a move the government said was part of an overhaul of the judiciary, but the opposition branded an attack on the independence of the courts.

Lawmakers said they were acting on the recommendation of the parliament-appointed judicial watchdog which said this month that some of the top court's judges had violated the constitution and "usurped the powers of parliament".

There was no immediate comment from Chief Justice Ahmed Abdulla Didi, the judge, Adam Mohamed Abdulla, or their offices.

Amnesty International said in 2018 that it was concerned about the lack of judicial independence in the Indian Ocean nation, but did not immediately issue a statement about Monday's vote.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih came to power in September 2018, promising to improve law enforcement and end what he called corruption in the country's institutions.

Two months later, the Judicial Service Commission watchdog launched an investigation into senior judges.

Last month it said it had found 17 instances where the top court's judges had "violated the constitution or usurped the powers of parliament of independent state institutions".

Those violations, it said, included the suspension of dozens of lawyers after they called for judicial reforms and a ruling which stripped a dozen lawmakers of their seats after they joined the then opposition, now ruling party, in 2017.

The Supreme Court and its judges have not commented during the course of the investigation. The watchdog said the Chief Justice's office had received a copy of the report but returned it.

The chairman of the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party, Hassan Latheef, said the vote was a milestone in its reform efforts. "I believe, we still do have enormous work to shape up a modern judiciary, " he told Reuters.

Opposition lawmaker Adam Shareef said he accepted there were problems with the judicial system. "But we believe that the dismissal of the Chief Justice is against the spirit of the constitution," he added.

"The current government with its huge majority is meddling in the judiciary," he added.

A total of 69 mostly ruling party lawmakers voted to impeach the chief justice and the judge, MPs and officials said, more than the two-thirds majority needed in the 87-member house to push the motion through under the constitution.

Maldives lawmakers voted on Monday to dismiss the Chief Justice and a Supreme Court judge - a move the government said was part of an overhaul of the judiciary, but the opposition branded an attack on the independence of the courts.

Maldives lawmakers voted on Monday to dismiss the Chief Justice and a Supreme Court judge - a move the government said was part of an overhaul of the judiciary, but the opposition branded an attack on the independence of the courts. Lawmakers said they were acting on the recommendation of the parliament-appointed judicial watchdog which said this month that some of the top court's judges had violated the constitution and "usurped the powers of parliament". There was no immediate comment from Chief Justice Ahmed Abdulla Didi, the judge, Adam Mohamed Abdulla, or their offices. Amnesty International said in 2018 that it was concerned about the lack of judicial independence in the Indian Ocean nation, but did not immediately issue a statement about Monday's vote. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih came to power in September 2018, promising to improve law enforcement and end what he called corruption in the country's institutions. Two months later, the Judicial Service Commission watchdog launched an investigation into senior judges. Last month it said it had found 17 instances where the top court's judges had "violated the constitution or usurped the powers of parliament of independent state institutions". Those violations, it said, included the suspension of dozens of lawyers after they called for judicial reforms and a ruling which stripped a dozen lawmakers of their seats after they joined the then opposition, now ruling party, in 2017. The Supreme Court and its judges have not commented during the course of the investigation. The watchdog said the Chief Justice's office had received a copy of the report but returned it. The chairman of the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party, Hassan Latheef, said the vote was a milestone in its reform efforts. "I believe, we still do have enormous work to shape up a modern judiciary, " he told Reuters. Opposition lawmaker Adam Shareef said he accepted there were problems with the judicial system. "But we believe that the dismissal of the Chief Justice is against the spirit of the constitution," he added. "The current government with its huge majority is meddling in the judiciary," he added. A total of 69 mostly ruling party lawmakers voted to impeach the chief justice and the judge, MPs and officials said, more than the two-thirds majority needed in the 87-member house to push the motion through under the constitution.

Maldives lawmakers dismiss Chief Justice and senior judge

The former Maldives president <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ex-maldives-president-makes-comeback-with-landslide-win-for-party-208667">Mohamed Nasheed</a> has been nominated as the country's parliamentary speaker and is set to be sworn in Tuesday, a party official said.

Nasheed was unanimously chosen to head the People's Majlis, or the parliament, by his Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) which won a near three-quarter majority in the 87-member assembly in April.

"He is unanimously chosen as the Speaker," a party official told AFP. "He will be sworn in at the inaugural session of the new parliament elected at the historic April vote."

Nasheed -- who until six months ago was still in exile -- has vowed to use his party's thumping mandate to usher in a new era of stability and democracy in the Maldives.

The MDP's closest rivals, the Jamhooree Party and Progressive Party of the Maldives, both won five seats. Two minor parties and independents secured 12 seats among them.&nbsp;

The Maldives, a holiday destination popular with honeymooners, is only just emerging from years of strongman rule, political crises and corruption scandals miring the government and judiciary.

Nasheed's comprehensive victory was another rebuke for his rival Abdulla Yameen, who was dumped as president in a shock election defeat in September under a cloud of corruption allegations.

Nasheed was barred from running in the presidential election but his former deputy, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, emerged triumphant over Yameen.

Nasheed returned to the Maldives in November after the Supreme Court quashed a terrorism conviction against him.

The former Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed has been nominated as the country's parliamentary speaker and is set to be sworn in Tuesday, a party official said.

The former Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed has been nominated as the country's parliamentary speaker and is set to be sworn in Tuesday, a party official said. Nasheed was unanimously chosen to head the People's Majlis, or the parliament, by his Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) which won a near three-quarter majority in the 87-member assembly in April. "He is unanimously chosen as the Speaker," a party official told AFP. "He will be sworn in at the inaugural session of the new parliament elected at the historic April vote." Nasheed -- who until six months ago was still in exile -- has vowed to use his party's thumping mandate to usher in a new era of stability and democracy in the Maldives. The MDP's closest rivals, the Jamhooree Party and Progressive Party of the Maldives, both won five seats. Two minor parties and independents secured 12 seats among them. The Maldives, a holiday destination popular with honeymooners, is only just emerging from years of strongman rule, political crises and corruption scandals miring the government and judiciary. Nasheed's comprehensive victory was another rebuke for his rival Abdulla Yameen, who was dumped as president in a shock election defeat in September under a cloud of corruption allegations. Nasheed was barred from running in the presidential election but his former deputy, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, emerged triumphant over Yameen. Nasheed returned to the Maldives in November after the Supreme Court quashed a terrorism conviction against him.

Maldives former President Mohamed Nasheed tipped as new Speaker

The Maldives heads for a parliamentary election on Saturday with President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih seeking a majority for his party to investigate debts to China, which it fears could run as high as $3 billion and risk sinking the economy.

Since he <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/maldives-high-court-orders-police-to-release-former-president-yameen-206328">unseated pro-China leader Abdulla Yameen in September</a>, Solih's Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which has governed in a coalition with three other parties, has warned that a building boom has left huge debts to Chinese lenders.

The Maldives, a tropical archipelago in the Indian Ocean with some 260,000 voters, has been caught in a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/india-maldives-ties-revived-after-a-spell-of-uncertainty-206166">battle for influence between India and China</a>, which invested millions of dollars during Yameen's rule as part of its Belt and Road plan.

The MDP has pledged to investigate the infrastructure projects and determine the islands' true debt to China, which it says could be as a high as $3 billion. Yameen denies any wrongdoing in relation to Chinese debt.

The MPD currently only has a majority with the support of its coalition partners, including The Jumhooree Party, which has been absent from votes to begin any graft investigation.

"The president has not been getting the support and cooperation he needs," MDP spokeswoman Afshan Latheef said.

"It's vital that the MDP gets a majority in parliament in order to fully investigate corruption and embezzlement, to seek justice for those disappeared and murdered and to fulfil the pledges of the government," she added.

The Jumhooree leader, parliament speaker Gasim Ibrahim, could not immediately be reached for comment. In past, he has said appointing commissions to conduct inquiries is unconstitutional.

The Jumhooree Party and Yameen's Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) are both campaigning on a nationalist, religious platform.

Gasim has said an MDP majority would allow it to push for a secular Maldives and build churches and temples in the Muslim-majority country.

The MDP, which is competing against its current coalition partners in many constituencies, has fielded candidates for 85 seats in the 87-member parliament, while the Jumhooree Party has put up 51 candidates. PPM is contesting 50 seats.

There are no independent election opinion polls.

Last month, Yameen spent more than a month in police custody over a graft scandal aimed at siphoning money from the islands' tourism board.

He was released on bail on March 28 in time for the last week of campaigning and denies the charges.

The Maldives heads for a parliamentary election on Saturday with President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih seeking a majority for his party to investigate debts to China, which it fears could run as high as $3 billion and risk sinking the economy.

The Maldives heads for a parliamentary election on Saturday with President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih seeking a majority for his party to investigate debts to China, which it fears could run as high as $3 billion and risk sinking the economy. Since he unseated pro-China leader Abdulla Yameen in September, Solih's Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which has governed in a coalition with three other parties, has warned that a building boom has left huge debts to Chinese lenders. The Maldives, a tropical archipelago in the Indian Ocean with some 260,000 voters, has been caught in a battle for influence between India and China, which invested millions of dollars during Yameen's rule as part of its Belt and Road plan. The MDP has pledged to investigate the infrastructure projects and determine the islands' true debt to China, which it says could be as a high as $3 billion. Yameen denies any wrongdoing in relation to Chinese debt. The MPD currently only has a majority with the support of its coalition partners, including The Jumhooree Party, which has been absent from votes to begin any graft investigation. "The president has not been getting the support and cooperation he needs," MDP spokeswoman Afshan Latheef said. "It's vital that the MDP gets a majority in parliament in order to fully investigate corruption and embezzlement, to seek justice for those disappeared and murdered and to fulfil the pledges of the government," she added. The Jumhooree leader, parliament speaker Gasim Ibrahim, could not immediately be reached for comment. In past, he has said appointing commissions to conduct inquiries is unconstitutional. The Jumhooree Party and Yameen's Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) are both campaigning on a nationalist, religious platform. Gasim has said an MDP majority would allow it to push for a secular Maldives and build churches and temples in the Muslim-majority country. The MDP, which is competing against its current coalition partners in many constituencies, has fielded candidates for 85 seats in the 87-member parliament, while the Jumhooree Party has put up 51 candidates. PPM is contesting 50 seats. There are no independent election opinion polls. Last month, Yameen spent more than a month in police custody over a graft scandal aimed at siphoning money from the islands' tourism board. He was released on bail on March 28 in time for the last week of campaigning and denies the charges.

As Maldives heads for polls today President Solih hopes for majority to probe China deals

Maldives police asked the prosecutor general on Thursday to charge former President <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/maldives-president-ibrahim-mohamed-solih-appeals-for-details-of-graft-under-predecessors-189186">Abdulla Yameen</a> for providing false information during a probe over his alleged involvement in a deal to lease tropical islands.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/maldives-president-yameen-hardliner-who-jailed-his-own-half-brother-167008">Pro-China Yameen lost a presidential election</a> in September and the new government of his successor, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, has drawn the country closer to India, probing several infrastructure deals awarded to the Chinese.

The investigation relates to a deal to lease tropical islands for hotel development, and alleged payment of $1 million of government money through a private company, SOF Private Limited, into Yameen's personal bank account.&nbsp;

Through a spokesman, Yameen denied any wrongdoing.

Police said in a statement that the investigation showed the company was used to embezzle state funds. "After the investigation, Yameen was told the money belonged to the state and should be returned. The police investigation found that Yameen did not return the money as ordered and instead he conducted financial transactions with the money in ways that would be profitable to him."&nbsp;

The state-run Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in 2016 found that SOF, a company launched by former tourism minister Ahmed Adeeb, was used to launder over $92 million from the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation, the country`s tourism board.&nbsp;

A spokesman for Yameen said the former president "does not believe that any funds of the state owned by Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation were deposited into an account owned by Abdulla Yameen".&nbsp;

Officials from SOF were not immediately available for comment.

Yameen's government suspended the license of SOF Private Limited in 2017 after Adeeb was jailed on terrorism charges.&nbsp;

The ACC, which under Yameen`s government initially investigated the money transfer to the former leader`s personal account, had asked Yameen to return the money in 2018. Yameen later said he had already returned the money.

Police said in December the authorities had frozen the bank accounts of Yameen with 100 million Maldivian Rufiyaa ($6.49 million) in both US&nbsp;dollars and the local currency.&nbsp;

During Yameen's tenure from 2013-2018, critics alleged that contracts, including a major bridge and an extension to the international airport, were given to Chinese companies at inflated prices.

Maldives police asked the prosecutor general on Thursday to charge former President Abdulla Yameen for providing false information during a probe over his alleged involvement in a deal to lease tropical islands.

Maldives police asked the prosecutor general on Thursday to charge former President Abdulla Yameen for providing false information during a probe over his alleged involvement in a deal to lease tropical islands. Pro-China Yameen lost a presidential election in September and the new government of his successor, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, has drawn the country closer to India, probing several infrastructure deals awarded to the Chinese. The investigation relates to a deal to lease tropical islands for hotel development, and alleged payment of $1 million of government money through a private company, SOF Private Limited, into Yameen's personal bank account. Through a spokesman, Yameen denied any wrongdoing. Police said in a statement that the investigation showed the company was used to embezzle state funds. "After the investigation, Yameen was told the money belonged to the state and should be returned. The police investigation found that Yameen did not return the money as ordered and instead he conducted financial transactions with the money in ways that would be profitable to him." The state-run Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in 2016 found that SOF, a company launched by former tourism minister Ahmed Adeeb, was used to launder over $92 million from the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation, the country`s tourism board. A spokesman for Yameen said the former president "does not believe that any funds of the state owned by Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation were deposited into an account owned by Abdulla Yameen". Officials from SOF were not immediately available for comment. Yameen's government suspended the license of SOF Private Limited in 2017 after Adeeb was jailed on terrorism charges. The ACC, which under Yameen`s government initially investigated the money transfer to the former leader`s personal account, had asked Yameen to return the money in 2018. Yameen later said he had already returned the money. Police said in December the authorities had frozen the bank accounts of Yameen with 100 million Maldivian Rufiyaa ($6.49 million) in both US dollars and the local currency. During Yameen's tenure from 2013-2018, critics alleged that contracts, including a major bridge and an extension to the international airport, were given to Chinese companies at inflated prices.

Maldives police seek charges against ex-president after money laundering probe

The Maldives government is seeking international help to find millions of dollars allegedly siphoned off by former president <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/maldives-police-seek-charges-against-ex-president-after-money-laundering-probe-195954">Abdulla Yameen</a> who faces embezzlement and money laundering charges, officials said Friday.

Maldivian diplomats said authorities in the Indian Ocean archipelago were in talks with foreign experts as part of a police investigation against the leader who lost power last September.

"Police have now completed their investigations. The Prosecutor General can now formally charge the former president," Aslam Shakir, spokesman for the Maldives embassy in Colombo, told AFP.

He said police investigations had found evidence linking Yameen and his justice minister Azima Shakoor to the theft of state funds and money laundering.

In December, courts in the tourist paradise froze some $6.5 million in accounts allegedly linked to Yameen who suffered a shock defeat to Mohamed Ibrahim Solih in elections in September.&nbsp;

Shakir said millions of dollars could be stashed abroad and talks were underway with foreign entities to repatriate any cash found. He did not name the countries involved.&nbsp;

"We are getting foreign financial forensic help. We are also getting the expertise of others in connection with several cases of disappearances of people during Yameen's regime," Shakir said.

An anti-establishment journalist Mohamed Rilwan vanished in August 2014 and is widely believed to have been abducted by figures linked to Yameen's government.

Yameen, who had been in power since 2013, jailing or forcing into exile many of his opponents, has also been accused of receiving close to $1.5 million in illicit payments during his failed bid for re-election.

The country's monetary authority lodged a police complaint over alleged donations made into a private account held by Yameen in the runup to the polls.

The former strongman president, who has been questioned but not detained, has denied the allegations.

Yameen remains politically active. But since his downfall, almost all key dissidents have returned to the country and been cleared of convictions against them.

The Maldives government is seeking international help to find millions of dollars allegedly siphoned off by former president Abdulla Yameen who faces embezzlement and money laundering charges, officials said Friday.

The Maldives government is seeking international help to find millions of dollars allegedly siphoned off by former president Abdulla Yameen who faces embezzlement and money laundering charges, officials said Friday. Maldivian diplomats said authorities in the Indian Ocean archipelago were in talks with foreign experts as part of a police investigation against the leader who lost power last September. "Police have now completed their investigations. The Prosecutor General can now formally charge the former president," Aslam Shakir, spokesman for the Maldives embassy in Colombo, told AFP. He said police investigations had found evidence linking Yameen and his justice minister Azima Shakoor to the theft of state funds and money laundering. In December, courts in the tourist paradise froze some $6.5 million in accounts allegedly linked to Yameen who suffered a shock defeat to Mohamed Ibrahim Solih in elections in September. Shakir said millions of dollars could be stashed abroad and talks were underway with foreign entities to repatriate any cash found. He did not name the countries involved. "We are getting foreign financial forensic help. We are also getting the expertise of others in connection with several cases of disappearances of people during Yameen's regime," Shakir said. An anti-establishment journalist Mohamed Rilwan vanished in August 2014 and is widely believed to have been abducted by figures linked to Yameen's government. Yameen, who had been in power since 2013, jailing or forcing into exile many of his opponents, has also been accused of receiving close to $1.5 million in illicit payments during his failed bid for re-election. The country's monetary authority lodged a police complaint over alleged donations made into a private account held by Yameen in the runup to the polls. The former strongman president, who has been questioned but not detained, has denied the allegations. Yameen remains politically active. But since his downfall, almost all key dissidents have returned to the country and been cleared of convictions against them.

Maldives seeks foreign aid to find cash linked to former President Abdulla yameen

The new president of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih will take oath today in Male in a ceremony that will take place at the national stadium. &nbsp;

Nearly 46 countries will send representatives to attend the inauguration ceremony with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also visiting the country to take part in the ceremony. 17 foreign dignitaries will be present during the ceremony in which Indian PM's presence will be the highest level presence by any country.

This will be the first visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Maldives. Maldives is the only SAARC country PM Modi did not visit after taking charge in the year 2014.

Announcing the visit, MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had last week said, " Prime Minister has accepted the invitation with pleasure. In keeping with her Neighborhood First policy, India looks forward to closely working with the Maldives in further deepening our partnership. PM will return to New Delhi on the same night" .

Maldivian news organisation Raajje has reported that the inauguration stage "resembles the Maldives parliament."

Other countries which will be present at the ceremony will be China, Japan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, US, UAE, Palestine, Morocco, Seychelles, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Serbia. SAARC will be represented by the secretary general of the grouping Amjad Hussain Sial.&nbsp;

Former president of Sri Lanka Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga will be also present at the oath-taking ceremony. Sri Lanka is also sending Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Sarath Amunugama and Minister of Provincial Councils, Local Government and Sports Faiszer Mustapha.

Asian heavyweights China and Japan are also sending their envoys. Bejing is sending Luo Shugang Minister of Culture and Tourism as Special Envoy of President Xi Jinping while from Tokyo, Wataru Takeshita, Member of House of Representatives of Japan as Special Envoy of the Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will be in attendance.

After the ceremony, a reception will take place at Kurumba Maldives. Indian PM will meet president Solih there.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, former president Yameen has decided to boycott the oath taking ceremony with the spokesperson at the President’s Office Ibrahim Muaz Ali tweeting it, saying that the outgoing president believes that an important right of the people of Maldives has been seized and justice has not been served.

The new president of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih will take oath today in Male in a ceremony that will take place at the national stadium. Nearly 46 countries will send representatives to attend the inauguration ceremony with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also visiting the country to take part in the ceremony.

The new president of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih will take oath today in Male in a ceremony that will take place at the national stadium. Nearly 46 countries will send representatives to attend the inauguration ceremony with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also visiting the country to take part in the ceremony. 17 foreign dignitaries will be present during the ceremony in which Indian PM's presence will be the highest level presence by any country. This will be the first visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Maldives. Maldives is the only SAARC country PM Modi did not visit after taking charge in the year 2014. Announcing the visit, MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had last week said, " Prime Minister has accepted the invitation with pleasure. In keeping with her Neighborhood First policy, India looks forward to closely working with the Maldives in further deepening our partnership. PM will return to New Delhi on the same night" . Maldivian news organisation Raajje has reported that the inauguration stage "resembles the Maldives parliament." Other countries which will be present at the ceremony will be China, Japan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, US, UAE, Palestine, Morocco, Seychelles, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Serbia. SAARC will be represented by the secretary general of the grouping Amjad Hussain Sial. Former president of Sri Lanka Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga will be also present at the oath-taking ceremony. Sri Lanka is also sending Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Sarath Amunugama and Minister of Provincial Councils, Local Government and Sports Faiszer Mustapha. Asian heavyweights China and Japan are also sending their envoys. Bejing is sending Luo Shugang Minister of Culture and Tourism as Special Envoy of President Xi Jinping while from Tokyo, Wataru Takeshita, Member of House of Representatives of Japan as Special Envoy of the Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will be in attendance. After the ceremony, a reception will take place at Kurumba Maldives. Indian PM will meet president Solih there. Meanwhile, former president Yameen has decided to boycott the oath taking ceremony with the spokesperson at the President’s Office Ibrahim Muaz Ali tweeting it, saying that the outgoing president believes that an important right of the people of Maldives has been seized and justice has not been served.

Solih takes oath today as Maldivian President; PM Modi to attend inauguration ceremony in Male

Maldives' President-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih takes office on Saturday, seeking help from India and the United States to climb out from under a mountain of Chinese debt that his predecessor racked up in a breakneck development of the coral islands.

The surprise defeat of pro-China strongman Abdulla Yameen has opened a window for India, the strategic outpost's traditional political partner, to regain ground lost to Beijing in their tussle for regional dominance.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the highest ranking visitor at the inauguration at the national soccer stadium in the capital Male. By contrast, China's highest-ranking attendee will be Culture and Tourism Minister Luo Shugang.

"I will convey to the new Maldivian government ... the desire of my government to work closely for realisation of their developmental priorities, especially in areas of infrastructure, health care, connectivity and human resource development," the Indian prime minister said in a post on Facebook.

Modi's presence signals the end of years of frosty relations because of Yameen's embrace of China, a relationship that had deepened India's anxieties about being encircled by countries leaning towards Beijing.

In Sri Lanka, an island nation to the southeast of India, the rivalry between New Delhi and Beijing has been one of the triggers for a political crisis in recent weeks.

"India-first"

The low-key Solih, a veteran lawmaker, has promised an "India first" policy in the Maldives, saying the small nation of a little over 400,000 people needs solid ties with its immediate neighbour.

His team is also reviewing millions of dollars of investments from China, as well as the related debt that the country has run up from Chinese lenders and how to restructure it. Solih has said investigations will be launched to find out what happened and fix accountability, Adam Azim, a member of his transition committee, told reporters on Thursday.

"We were led to believe it's about $1.5 billion, the Chinese debt, but it could be worse," said another member of Solih's top economic team, which has been holding discussions with finance ministry officials during the transition following the election in September.

He said the team had already reached out to India, the United States and Saudi Arabia for financial assistance so it could tackle the debt.

"We straightaway need 200-300 million dollars to kick-start the budgetary support," the adviser said.

Debt of $1.5 billion would be more than a quarter of the country's annual gross domestic product. Another member of the incoming president's economic team said firm proposals for assistance had been discussed with Indian and U.S. officials.

"Friendship"&nbsp;bridge

Signs of the infrastructure boom are everywhere in Male, from where tourists are whisked off in high speed boats to luxury resorts built on atolls in the turquoise waters.

Some 400 Chinese workers this year completed the mile-long China-Maldives Friendship Bridge, which towers over the city connecting the airport on one island to the capital on another.

The airport itself is undergoing expansion, with a second runway to accommodate the thousands of tourists who arrive each day.

The airport development is an especially sore point with India, after the Maldivian government cancelled a $511 million deal with India's GMR Infrastructure and later gave the contract to Beijing Urban Construction Group Company Limited.

The Yameen administration also threw open new islands and lagoons from the 1,192 islands that make up the necklace-shaped archipelago for development of resorts.

"There is such secrecy surrounding all these deals that it will take us weeks to figure out what went on," said Mariya Ahmad, an MP and spokeswoman for Solih.

Sensing an opportunity, India has told Solih's team it stands ready to help, Indian government officials in New Delhi and Maldivian authorities in Male said.

India had provided a $75 million credit line some years ago, of which a third had been utilised before the diplomatic chill set in with the previous administration, an Indian government official said.

There is also a currency swap agreement between the Reserve Bank of India and the Maldives Monetary Authority that could help maintain financial stability, the official said.

Modi, making his first visit since taking office in 2014, will hold talks with Solih before the inauguration.

India has had a long-standing defence cooperation agreement with the Maldives, providing coastal security and patrols of its exclusive economic zone. But Yameen saw such co-operation as a cover for surveillance and had asked India to withdraw two military helicopters along with 50 military personnel this year.

The Indians had refused and now officials in Delhi said they expected the visas of the personnel involved in the operations to be renewed.

"In keeping with its neighbourhood first policy, India looks forward to closely working with Maldives in further deepening the partnership," Indian foreign ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar said.

A diplomatic source said the United States was also set to increase its engagement with the Maldives. Its relations had also become strained because of Yameen's crackdown on political rivals and supreme court justices.

But China remains a big player, given the investments by its state companies and as Chinese tourists pour in. That means the relationship is unlikely to completely unravel.

Between January to October this year, 247,911 Chinese tourists arrived, accounting for a fifth of all visitors. India, which is much closer geographically, provided just 5 per cent.

China's embassy did not respond to a request for comment about concerns that its projects had pushed the Maldives into financial difficulties. Soon after Solih's victory, Beijing had said it hoped the new government would maintain continuity in its policies and create good conditions for Chinese firms.

Maldives' President-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih takes office on Saturday, seeking help from India and the United States to climb out from under a mountain of Chinese debt that his predecessor racked up in a breakneck development of the coral islands.

Maldives' President-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih takes office on Saturday, seeking help from India and the United States to climb out from under a mountain of Chinese debt that his predecessor racked up in a breakneck development of the coral islands. The surprise defeat of pro-China strongman Abdulla Yameen has opened a window for India, the strategic outpost's traditional political partner, to regain ground lost to Beijing in their tussle for regional dominance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the highest ranking visitor at the inauguration at the national soccer stadium in the capital Male. By contrast, China's highest-ranking attendee will be Culture and Tourism Minister Luo Shugang. "I will convey to the new Maldivian government ... the desire of my government to work closely for realisation of their developmental priorities, especially in areas of infrastructure, health care, connectivity and human resource development," the Indian prime minister said in a post on Facebook. Modi's presence signals the end of years of frosty relations because of Yameen's embrace of China, a relationship that had deepened India's anxieties about being encircled by countries leaning towards Beijing. In Sri Lanka, an island nation to the southeast of India, the rivalry between New Delhi and Beijing has been one of the triggers for a political crisis in recent weeks. "India-first" The low-key Solih, a veteran lawmaker, has promised an "India first" policy in the Maldives, saying the small nation of a little over 400,000 people needs solid ties with its immediate neighbour. His team is also reviewing millions of dollars of investments from China, as well as the related debt that the country has run up from Chinese lenders and how to restructure it. Solih has said investigations will be launched to find out what happened and fix accountability, Adam Azim, a member of his transition committee, told reporters on Thursday. "We were led to believe it's about $1.5 billion, the Chinese debt, but it could be worse," said another member of Solih's top economic team, which has been holding discussions with finance ministry officials during the transition following the election in September. He said the team had already reached out to India, the United States and Saudi Arabia for financial assistance so it could tackle the debt. "We straightaway need 200-300 million dollars to kick-start the budgetary support," the adviser said. Debt of $1.5 billion would be more than a quarter of the country's annual gross domestic product. Another member of the incoming president's economic team said firm proposals for assistance had been discussed with Indian and U.S. officials. "Friendship" bridge Signs of the infrastructure boom are everywhere in Male, from where tourists are whisked off in high speed boats to luxury resorts built on atolls in the turquoise waters. Some 400 Chinese workers this year completed the mile-long China-Maldives Friendship Bridge, which towers over the city connecting the airport on one island to the capital on another. The airport itself is undergoing expansion, with a second runway to accommodate the thousands of tourists who arrive each day. The airport development is an especially sore point with India, after the Maldivian government cancelled a $511 million deal with India's GMR Infrastructure and later gave the contract to Beijing Urban Construction Group Company Limited. The Yameen administration also threw open new islands and lagoons from the 1,192 islands that make up the necklace-shaped archipelago for development of resorts. "There is such secrecy surrounding all these deals that it will take us weeks to figure out what went on," said Mariya Ahmad, an MP and spokeswoman for Solih. Sensing an opportunity, India has told Solih's team it stands ready to help, Indian government officials in New Delhi and Maldivian authorities in Male said. India had provided a $75 million credit line some years ago, of which a third had been utilised before the diplomatic chill set in with the previous administration, an Indian government official said. There is also a currency swap agreement between the Reserve Bank of India and the Maldives Monetary Authority that could help maintain financial stability, the official said. Modi, making his first visit since taking office in 2014, will hold talks with Solih before the inauguration. India has had a long-standing defence cooperation agreement with the Maldives, providing coastal security and patrols of its exclusive economic zone. But Yameen saw such co-operation as a cover for surveillance and had asked India to withdraw two military helicopters along with 50 military personnel this year. The Indians had refused and now officials in Delhi said they expected the visas of the personnel involved in the operations to be renewed. "In keeping with its neighbourhood first policy, India looks forward to closely working with Maldives in further deepening the partnership," Indian foreign ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar said. A diplomatic source said the United States was also set to increase its engagement with the Maldives. Its relations had also become strained because of Yameen's crackdown on political rivals and supreme court justices. But China remains a big player, given the investments by its state companies and as Chinese tourists pour in. That means the relationship is unlikely to completely unravel. Between January to October this year, 247,911 Chinese tourists arrived, accounting for a fifth of all visitors. India, which is much closer geographically, provided just 5 per cent. China's embassy did not respond to a request for comment about concerns that its projects had pushed the Maldives into financial difficulties. Soon after Solih's victory, Beijing had said it hoped the new government would maintain continuity in its policies and create good conditions for Chinese firms.

PM Modi embraces Maldives as new leader Solih takes office

The Maldives Supreme Court on Sunday upheld the outgoing President Abdulla Yameen's defeat in the September's polls as it rejected a petition&nbsp;filed last week&nbsp;by his party.

On October 10, Yameen's Progressive Party of Maldives had filed a petition in the top court seeking annulment of the controversial poll result, alleging that vote was rigged by the independent election commission of the country.

Today, the five-judge Supreme Court bench unanimously ruled that Yameen had failed to prove his claim that the September 23 vote won by opposition candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih was rigged.

Yameen is due to hand over power on November 17.&nbsp;

Opposition leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih won a surprise presidential election victory on September 23.

Results released by the electoral commission had shown Yameen's PPM on 41.7 per cent of the vote, well behind Solih on 58.3 per cent. Nearly 90 per cent of the 262,000 electorates turned out to vote during the election.

The results were hailed by India and the US as a victory for democratic forces.

In February Yameen had imposed a 45-day state of emergency cracking down on the Opposition and imprisoning the country's Chief Justice and Supreme Court judges. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The Maldives Supreme Court on Sunday upheld the outgoing President Abdulla Yameen's defeat in the September's polls as it rejected a petition filed last week by his party.

The Maldives Supreme Court on Sunday upheld the outgoing President Abdulla Yameen's defeat in the September's polls as it rejected a petition filed last week by his party. On October 10, Yameen's Progressive Party of Maldives had filed a petition in the top court seeking annulment of the controversial poll result, alleging that vote was rigged by the independent election commission of the country. Today, the five-judge Supreme Court bench unanimously ruled that Yameen had failed to prove his claim that the September 23 vote won by opposition candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih was rigged. Yameen is due to hand over power on November 17. Opposition leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih won a surprise presidential election victory on September 23. Results released by the electoral commission had shown Yameen's PPM on 41.7 per cent of the vote, well behind Solih on 58.3 per cent. Nearly 90 per cent of the 262,000 electorates turned out to vote during the election. The results were hailed by India and the US as a victory for democratic forces. In February Yameen had imposed a 45-day state of emergency cracking down on the Opposition and imprisoning the country's Chief Justice and Supreme Court judges.

Maldives Supreme Court upholds Abdulla Yameen's election defeat 

The United States congratulated Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on his victory in the recently-concluded presidential polls in the Maldives and expressed keenness in working with the new government in areas of shared interest.

"The United States congratulates Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on his victory in Maldives'&nbsp;September 23 presidential election. The United States commends the Maldivian people for their commitment to the democratic process and exceptional level of participation in an election that has ushered in a new chapter in their country's history. We expect all parties to respect the will of the Maldivian people and support a peaceful transition of power through the November 17 inauguration," a statement issued by US State Department Spokesperson, Heather Nauert, read.

In a hotly-contested election in the island nation, Solih, a senior opposition leader, emerged victorious by garnering 134,616 votes, according to the provincial results announced by the Maldivian Election Commission.

Incumbent Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen, however, secured 96,132 votes only.

Official results are scheduled to be announced before September 30.

However, Yameen, in a televised speech on Monday, said he accepted the people's mandate and conceded defeat.&nbsp;

The United States congratulated Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on his victory in the recently-concluded presidential polls in the Maldives and expressed keenness in working with the new government in areas of shared interest.

The United States congratulated Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on his victory in the recently-concluded presidential polls in the Maldives and expressed keenness in working with the new government in areas of shared interest. "The United States congratulates Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on his victory in Maldives' September 23 presidential election. The United States commends the Maldivian people for their commitment to the democratic process and exceptional level of participation in an election that has ushered in a new chapter in their country's history. We expect all parties to respect the will of the Maldivian people and support a peaceful transition of power through the November 17 inauguration," a statement issued by US State Department Spokesperson, Heather Nauert, read. In a hotly-contested election in the island nation, Solih, a senior opposition leader, emerged victorious by garnering 134,616 votes, according to the provincial results announced by the Maldivian Election Commission. Incumbent Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen, however, secured 96,132 votes only. Official results are scheduled to be announced before September 30. However, Yameen, in a televised speech on Monday, said he accepted the people's mandate and conceded defeat.

US lauds Ibrahim Solih on Maldives election victory

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