Discuss the geopolitical and geostrategic importance of Maldives for India with a focus on global trade and energy flows. Further, also discuss how this relationship affects India's maritime security and regional stability amidst international competition.

As Prime Minister Narendra Modisaid “India and the Maldives are not just neighbors; we are natural partners. Our destinies are intertwined, and we share the same vision of peace and prosperity.”

## Geopolitical and Geostrategic Importance of Maldives for India: Focus on Trade and Energy Flows

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• Strategic Location: Maldives’ position on key global maritime trade routes enhances India’s maritime domain awareness and security.


• Energy Security: Located along key maritime routes between the Gulf of Aden and the Strait of Malacca, the Maldives serves as a critical “toll gate” for nearly half of India’s trade and 80% of its energy imports.


• Regional Stability: Strong ties with the Maldives support India’s ‘Neighborhood First’ policy, ensuring political stability and minimizing external influences like China.


• Countering China: India seeks to prevent the Maldives from falling into China’s Belt and Road Initiative debt trap, preserving regional dominance.


• Trade Hub Potential: The Maldives can serve as a logistics and shipping hub, complementing India’s trade routes and boosting regional economic integration.


• Maritime Surveillance: Geographic proximity aids India in enhancing surveillance and accessing deep-sea resources through joint projects, strengthening maritime security.


• Defence Cooperation: ADefence Action Planwas signed in 2016 to strengthen this partnership. India provides nearly 70% of Maldives’ defence training, both on the islands and in India’s military academies.

## Challenges

• Growing Chinese Influence: Eg- China signed20 “key” agreements, including on tourism cooperation, disaster risk reduction and the blue economy during visit of Xi Jinping.


• Diplomatic Turmoil –undiplomatic words used by ministers in Maldives, President Muizzu asking India to withdraw military personnel and choosing China for one of his first overseas visits


• Domestic politics –The‘India Out’ campaignagainst the presence of the Indian military on Maldivian soil.


• India’s security interests hinge on the Maldives’ political stability; internal turmoil could disrupt cooperation and threaten maritime security objectives.


• Non-traditional threats:Piracy, terrorism, and drug trafficking require ongoing collaboration and intelligence sharing between India and the Maldives.


• Extremism:The Maldives’ susceptibility to extremism and radicalization demands joint efforts to counter these security challenges.

## Way forward

• Promote Non-Reciprocal Development Assistance to counter‘Big Brother Perception: Building on the principles of theMunroe Doctrine, India should focus onproviding nonreciprocal, consultative, and cooperative development assistance to the Maldives.‘


• Enhance Maritime Security Collaborationincluding joint naval exercises, surveillance operations, and information sharing.


• Engage in Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges: Programs that promote tourism, student exchanges, and cultural initiatives will help build mutual understanding and strengthen bilateral relations.


• Address Domestic Political Dynamics: India should be sensitive to the internal political landscape of the Maldives, engaging with all political factions and civil society groups to ensure broad-based support for its initiatives.

Sustained Diplomacyand strengtheningPeople to People connectis essential to build trust and align‘Neighbourhood First’ policy with theMaldive’s ‘India First’policy.

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