Relations between the Maldives and India are tense. First there was a scandal over Prime Minister Modi’s beach photos, now India should withdraw its army from the island state. The Maldivian president is committed to a closer partnership with China.
The Maldives has called on India to end its military presence in the island nation. President Mohamed Muizzu said dozens of military personnel should have withdrawn by March 15. The Foreign Ministry reported that there was a corresponding meeting between representatives of both governments in Malé, the capital of the Maldives.
Indian soldiers and warships have so far helped, among other things, to monitor the region. Relations between the two countries have been tense for some time. The major Asian powers India and China are vying for influence in the island nation in the Indian Ocean.
The recently elected President Muizzu is considered pro-China and had promised to end the presence of Indian army personnel. His election campaign ran under the slogan “India out”. Recently, Muizzu visited China to strengthen ties with the second largest economy.
Maldives is part of China’s “new Silk Road”
During his week-long trip, the president of the island state solicited money from the People’s Republic at an investment forum. In Fuzhou, the starting point of China’s Maritime Silk Road, Muizzu described his host as one of the “closest allies and development partners.” At the same time, he announced that he would increase exports of fishery products. A free trade agreement should help with this.
The fishing industry is the largest employer in the Maldives, whose territory consists of 99 percent sea. In terms of quantity and value, fish and seafood make up more than 99 percent of exports.
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu and Chinese President Xi Jinping have agreed to expand relations. China has already invested billions in the island nation.
Beijing is investing billions
China has already established its own presence in the Maldives. As part of Xi’s “New Silk Road” initiative, which aims to build a global trade and infrastructure network, China is supporting the expansion of Velana International Airport in the Maldives.
Chinese companies have invested almost $1.4 billion in the country since the Maldives decided to join the Silk Road mega-project in 2014. This is shown by data from the American Enterprise Institute.
Last year, for example, the China National Machinery Industry Corporation invested $140 million in the Maldives’ tourism industry, which accounts for more than a quarter of the economy. In 2019, Chinese tourists accounted for a fifth of foreign visitors. They were the largest group of tourists, but recently fell back to third place due to the corona pandemic.
The Maldives are considered a dream travel destination for many people. Most tourists came from India last year.
Photos on the beach in India prime minister Modes
After his return from Beijing, the president of the island nation took a swipe at his neighbor and previous important partner India, without directly mentioning the country: “We may be small, but that doesn’t give you a license to bully us,” the newspaper quoted him as saying “SunOnline”.
Muizuu was referring to a scandal that had recently occurred. The reason for this were photos of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in front of a fantastic beach backdrop. He was seen walking on the beach in flip-flops and snorkeling in a life jacket. Modi used the pictures to promote India’s own Lakshadweep archipelago. The images of the Indian archipelago recently uploaded to the X platform (formerly Twitter) are reminiscent of the neighboring island state.
Modi’s post led to protests in the Maldives. Because the dream destination is heavily dependent on foreign guests, a particularly large number of whom come from India. The post caused, among other things, disrespectful statements from three vice ministers of the Maldives. Deputy Minister Mariyam Shiuana made fun of Modi in a now-deleted X post and called him a “clown”.
Most tourists so far have come from India
In India, in return, Bollywood stars, well-known cricketers, politicians and a travel platform promoted the Indian islands and called for a boycott of the Maldives. New Delhi also summoned the Maldivian ambassador this week. Holidaymakers posted screenshots on X with the hashtag #BoycottMaldives to show that they had canceled their planned trips to the island nation.
On Monday, Indian travel portal EaseMyTrip joined the protests and suspended bookings to the Maldives “in solidarity with our nation.” The Maldivian government finally applied the brakes to bring the dispute under control. The three government members deleted their social media posts and were suspended for posting derogatory comments about India.
The archipelago has become a sought-after holiday destination globally since the 1970s. Income from tourism is an essential pillar of the country’s economy. In terms of nationalities, Indian visitors were the largest group last year. If Lakshadweep develops into competition, it could cause significant financial losses for the Maldives.