Misguided Maldives

MALDIVIAN President Mohamed Muizzu has asked India to withdraw its military personnel from his country by March 15. His ultimatum came shortly after he returned to capital Male from a six-day visit to China. According to Muizzu, China’s Belt and Road Initiative has taken their bilateral relations to a new level. He has also stated that the two countries have a strong relationship as China is not keen on interfering in the Maldives’ internal affairs. With his country owing China $1.37 billion — around 20 per cent of its public debt — it is understandable that Muizzu is all praise for Beijing. However, he has struck a discordant note with his jibe directed at India: ‘We may be small, but that doesn’t give you the licence to bully us.’

It is apparent that Muizzu is being prodded by China to up the ante against India. There is no reason for the Maldives to harbour ill will against New Delhi, which has never hesitated from providing assistance to the island nation, be it humanitarian or military. Indian tourists as well as filmmakers, for whom the Maldives has been a popular destination for decades, have been contributing significantly to the country’s economy.

Disregarding the pro-India policies of most of his predecessors, Muizzu has made no bones about his leaning towards China. It is his unreasonable stand that emboldened three deputy ministers of his government to make derogatory remarks against PM Modi after the latter’s visit to Lakshadweep. The suspension of the trio has been a mere eyewash. New Delhi needs to make Muizzu see reason. The presence of 80-odd Indian military personnel poses no threat to Maldivian sovereignty. Spoiling relations with India will hurt the Maldives, which is playing a very risky game by putting all its eggs in the Chinese basket.

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.

#China #Maldives