A setback, but not a disaster in Maldives

The election of pro-China Progressive Alliance candidate, Mohamed Muizzu, as President in Maldives led to a buzz that China is in and India is out of the island nation.

- HARSHA KAKAR

This is a replay of what transpired five years ago when Ibrahim Solih, who was pro-India defeated his pro-China rival and sitting president, Abdullah Yameen. When Solih stood for elections in 2014, his promise to the people of Maldives was to repair ties with neighbours and adopt an ‘India First’ foreign policy. Muizzu fought his election on an ‘India out’ campaign.

Muizzu is an associate of former president Yameen Abdul Gayoom, who is currently undergoing a prison term of 11 years for corruption. The people of Maldives, a group of islands barely 70 nautical miles from Minicoy in Lakshadweep and around 300 nautical miles from India’s west coast, located alongside major shipping routes, were made to believe that India is establishing a military base which could result in Maldives becoming an Indian colony.

This dominated the campaign rather than other pressing issues including the economy, climate change etc., which were more important. The reality is that there are a few dozen Indian ‘unarmed’ troops located in Maldives to assist in operations of a Dornier aircraft and a few helicopters gifted by the Indian government. What was, in addition, exploited was the agreement to ‘develop, support, and maintain a Coast Guard harbour for Maldivian forces at Uthuru Thila Falhu.’ This was sold to Maldivians as a permanent military base for India.

Another issue of contention was the construction of the National College of Policing and Enforcement. Rumours circulated that the construction was larger than required as it was meant to house Indians involved with the institute, thereby opening doors for pushing in immigrants.