Did India take this big step to stop China in Maldives?
If East Ladakh is the theater of a military confrontation for India and China, then Maldives and other countries of the Indian Ocean are nothing short of the arena of diplomatic conflict between the two countries.
On Thursday, after a meeting between External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Maldives Foreign Minister Abdullah Shahid via videoconference, it was announced that the Government of India would give a financial package to Maldives, with a grant of $ 100 million and 40 There will be a new million dollar line of credit.
Apart from this, there has also been talk on separate assistance of $ 250 million.
Expressing happiness over this, Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Maldives President Ibrahim Mohammed Solih said in a tweet, “Today is a historic moment in Maldives-India cooperation when we receive $ 250 million budget aid and Greater Male connectivity. The project received $ 500 million in Indian assistance. “
In this tweet, he also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India.
In response, Prime Minister Modi said, “India will continue to support Maldives in reducing the economic impact of the COVID-19 epidemic. Our special friendship will always be as deep as the waters of the Indian Ocean.”
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs said in a press release that it would be the largest infrastructure project in the Maldives, connecting Male (capital of Maldives) with neighboring islands Willingley, Thilafushi and Gulhifahu. Foreign ministers of both countries expressed satisfaction on the fact that the relationship between the two countries is deep.
Experts say that the foreign policy of the “first neighbor” to close Modi’s relations with neighboring countries on the Maldives has stood.
According to him, especially in the first five years of the Modi government, in the context of China’s growing influence in the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, friendship with the Maldives has drawn close, which is commendable.
But will China’s impact on Maldives reduce?
Former diplomat Rajiv Dogra has written deeply on Modi’s foreign policies in his book.
They say that it may take time to reduce China’s influence in the Maldives.
According to him, China takes any project abroad and ends it quickly whereas India takes more time to finish a project.
But Rajiv Dogra emphasizes that it is important for people to understand the difference between helping China and India.
He says “India does not give aid to neighboring countries for economic gain or to exert political pressure. Whether it is Bhutan’s hydro-electric plant or Afghanistan’s Parliament building. While China provides aid, its purpose would be Is to entice the countries seeking aid “
It is often said about China that it traps countries in a web of debts from which countries cannot get out.
According to Rajiv Dogra, India does not exploit any country by giving aid.
In recent years, China’s influence in Maldives, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh has not been good for India’s bilateral security relations and strategic interests.
Maldives became a close friend of China during the time of Abdullah Yameen, former President of Maldives. Mahendra Rajapaksa’s return to power in Sri Lanka was a major good news for China while a worrying event for India, as Rajapaksa had moved very close to China in his earlier period and Sri Lanka at that time openly launched China’s PLA Navy submarine And had already established deep economic relations with China.
But it is not just about financial help.
In most countries, India has a better image than China. Dogra says that it is goodwill for India to have friendship with India is so important for Maldives in Africa, neighboring countries and Muslim countries. China cannot buy this goodwill even after spending all the money.
India handled its relations with Bangladesh quite well during Modi’s first term, but now also faces difficulties with Bangladesh.
Dr. Rajeshwari Pillai Rajagopalan of the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), one of India’s leading think tanks, says in one of its articles, “The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) of India, which was seen as targeting Muslims Goes have created a rift in India-Bangladesh relations. “
There is nothing new in relations with Pakistan but relations with China and Nepal were going well. Now there is tension in relations with these countries too.
On the other hand, India-Afghanistan relations are as strong as before. Rajiv Dogra says that India’s foreign policy changes immediately with the change of government in neighboring countries.
According to him, there are fluctuations in relationships. India’s relations with the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have strengthened considerably during Modi’s era.
Supporting Maldives is not new to India.
Many projects in India are still operational there. But according to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, the reason behind the help now being given is to save the Maldives from the bad effects of the epidemic.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, India has so far provided assistance of $ 30.66 billion to 64 countries. Since the epidemic and lockdown, India has delivered medicines and other medical equipment to 90 countries. These countries include Maldives
Mohammad Nasheed, the speaker of the Majlis (Parliament) of Maldives, recently said that being wise in making Maldives a smart choice And should “join hands with India” for development and prosperity.
Highlighting the important geographical importance of the Maldives, he said, “I also have a good sense that the Maldives and their elected leaders will be wise and will make prudent decisions about our foreign policy and our relations with our closest allies and neighbors.” India is the closest to us in these countries. “
