India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held bilateral discussions with his Maldivian counterpart Mohammed Ghassan Maumoon in New Delhi focusing on maritime security cooperation in the Indian Ocean on January 8.

Highlights of the discussions:

• The ministers comprehensively reviewed various aspects of bilateral defence and  security cooperation. 

• During the talks, both sides reasserted the firm commitment to work closely in realising the joint vision for India-Maldives Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership.

• Following the request by the government of Maldives, India handed over defence equipment and stores to the Maldives.

• Rajnath Singh reaffirmed India’s readiness to support the Maldives in capability enhancement for defence preparedness, including provisioning of defence platforms and assets to augment its capacities, as per its national priorities and in line with New Delhi’s ‘Neighborhood First’ policy and the vision of SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region). 

• Minister Maumoon appreciated India’s historical role as the ‘first responder’ for the Maldives, and thanked New Delhi for assisting Male in augmenting the modern infrastructural capacities and training of defence and security personnel.

Improvements in bilateral defence and security ties

• The ties between India and the Maldives came under severe strain after President Mohamed Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, took charge of the top office in November 2023.

• Within hours of his oath, he had demanded the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from his country. Subsequently, the Indian military personnel were replaced by civilians.

• Maumoon is on a three-day visit to India, nearly eight months after New Delhi completed pulling out its military personnel from the Maldives.

• The overall episode had significantly frayed the ties between the two nations. However, there was a thaw in the relations following Muizzu’s visit to New Delhi in October 2024.

• Maumoon’s visit has provided an opportunity to further deepen the bilateral defence and security ties for the mutual benefit of the two countries and the Indian Ocean Region.

• The minister’s visit comes days after Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel visited India and held wide-ranging talks with Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar.

• In the meeting held on January 3, Jaishankar described the Maldives as a “very concrete” expression of India’s neighbourhood first policy and that New Delhi has always stood by the island nation.

Strategic importance of Maldives to India

• Geostrategic Location: Situated in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives lies near critical maritime trade routes connecting the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea, the Suez Canal, and Mozambique. This makes it pivotal for overseeing maritime trade and ensuring regional stability.

• Countering Regional Threats: A strong and independent Maldives benefits India and other nations in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), especially in countering China’s growing influence in the area.

• Historical Partnership: India has a long history of assisting the Maldives, including thwarting a coup attempt in 1988. This legacy underpins the trust and cooperation between the two nations.

Broader Defence and Security Cooperation

• India has supported the Maldives with critical assets like a Dornier aircraft, patrol vessels, and a coastal radar system.

• Joint initiatives include maritime security cooperation, counterterrorism training, cybersecurity collaborations, and joint military exercises.

• India’s Greater Male Connectivity Project (GMCP) and a cybersecurity pact further reinforce the multidimensional partnership.

Importance of the Coast Guard Harbour Project in the Maldives

• The development of the Coast Guard ‘Ekatha Harbour’ and repair facility at Sifavaru is one of the biggest grant-in-aid projects of India.

• India and the Maldives signed a pact for the development of the coast guard facility in 2021 when New Delhi also extended a $50 million line of credit to the Maldives for defence projects.

• The development of the Coast Guard ‘Ekatha Harbour’ and repair facility at Sifavaru is one of the biggest grant-in-aid projects of India.

• The project underscores the growing defence partnership between India and the Maldives.

• It reflects India’s commitment to supporting the Maldives in enhancing its maritime security capabilities, aligned with its ‘Neighborhood First’ policy and the vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region).

• Capacity Building: The development of the Coast Guard Harbour will empower the Maldivian Coast Guard to independently maintain and repair its naval vessels, reducing reliance on foreign facilities and boosting local expertise.

Strategic benefits of the harbour project

• Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief: The facility will play a key role in regional humanitarian and disaster relief efforts, enhancing the Maldives’ ability to respond to crises.

• Maritime Security Hub: The repair and maintenance hub will strengthen the Maldives’ maritime security infrastructure, essential for safeguarding its vast territorial waters.

• Self-Sufficiency: Previously, platforms gifted by India had to be repaired in Indian facilities. This project will enable the Maldives to manage maintenance domestically, ensuring quicker turnaround times and cost-efficiency.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)