Font size:
Print
India, Maldives to hold high-level defence talks
Context:
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to meet his Maldivian counterpart, Mohammed Ghassan Maumoon, in New Delhi. This high-level dialogue will focus on deepening bilateral defence cooperation, with key discussions around training programs, joint exercises, defence projects, and the supply of equipment to bolster the MNDF.
Areas of Cooperation/Talks in Defence Relations:
- Capacity Building and Training
India plays a pivotal role in meeting 70% of the MNDF’s training requirements, with over 1,500 personnel trained at premier Indian institutions such as the National Defence Academy (NDA) and the Officers Training Academy (OTA). Joint activities include:
-
- Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) patrols.
- Anti-narcotics operations.
- Search and Rescue (SAR) missions.
- Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercises.
- Defence Infrastructure: India has significantly contributed to building critical defence infrastructure in the Maldives, including:
-
- Composite Training Centre (CTC): Enhancing MNDF’s operational capabilities.
- Coastal Radar System (CRS): Strengthening maritime surveillance.
- Ekatha Harbour at UTF: India’s largest grant-in-aid project in the Maldives.
- Equipment and Projects: India has provided essential military equipment, including fast patrol vessels, landing craft assault ships, Dornier aircraft, helicopters, and utility vehicles. India’s contributions also extend to sea ambulances and air surveillance assets, bolstering MNDF’s operational readiness.
- Joint Exercises: Bilateral exercises like Ekuverin and Ekatha and the trilateral exercise Dosti (with Sri Lanka and observer Bangladesh) have reinforced interoperability and coordination between defence forces.
Strategic Importance of Defence Relations:
- Stability in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)
-
- The Maldives’ strategic location in the IOR positions it as a critical partner in ensuring regional stability. Collaborative efforts between India and the Maldives contribute to maintaining maritime safety and securing vital sea lanes of communication.
- This partnership supports India’s SAGAR vision and addresses common challenges like illegal fishing, human trafficking, and drug smuggling.
- Neighbourhood First Policy
-
- The Maldives occupies a central role in India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy, emphasising shared cultural, historical, and linguistic ties. Defence cooperation underscores India’s commitment to fostering prosperity and security in the region.
- Countering China’s Influence
-
- India’s active engagement with the Maldives serves to counter China’s growing presence in the region. China’s investments and infrastructure projects, including those under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), have raised concerns about debt dependency and strategic encroachments.
Challenges in Defence Cooperation:
- Politicisation of Defence Ties: The “India Out” campaign, launched during former President Abdulla Yameen’s tenure, strained bilateral relations, with critics accusing India of infringing on Maldivian sovereignty. Projects like the UTF Harbour and radar installations became contentious issues, reflecting domestic political dynamics.
- Evolving Political Landscape: The upcoming Maldivian elections could reshape defence alliances. Uncertainty over Yameen’s eligibility and internal factionalism within the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) could influence future defence cooperation.
- China’s Role: China’s potential expansion of defence ties with the Maldives presents a challenge to India’s strategic position. Strengthening mutual trust and transparency will be crucial to counter this influence effectively.
