ASSESSMENTS

India Looks at the Maldives and Sees China

Feb 8, 2018 | 23:03 GMT

The Maldives is an Indian Ocean archipelago with a population of about 400,000. China is investing hundreds of millions of dollars in the country, heightening fears in India that it's losing influence in the region.

(PETERHERMESFURIAN/iStock/Getty Images)

Highlights

India wants to see a sympathetic politician in power in the Maldives who can advance its interests, someone like exiled former President Mohamed Nasheed.
India's goal in the Maldives is to pressure President Yameen Abdul Gayoom to uphold a Supreme Court ruling that would enable Nasheed to return to the capital and potentially run again for president.
In turn, New Delhi wants a sympathetic government in the Maldives to re-evaluate ongoing Chinese infrastructure projects that India fears may presage Beijing's eventual military presence in the island nation.

A rapidly unfolding political crisis in the Maldives has created challenges and opportunities for India as the world's largest democracy seeks to limit Chinese influence in the tiny island nation of 400,000 people. On Feb. 5, Maldivian President Yameen Abdul Gayoom imposed a 15-day state of emergency. He ordered the arrests of two Supreme Court judges -- including the chief justice -- as well as Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, an opposition leader and former president who ruled the Maldives for 30 years with India's backing. Yameen's sweeping directive, which he says was aimed at thwarting a judicial coup, followed a Feb. 1 high court ruling that called on Yameen to reinstate 12 members of parliament and that overturned charges against nine jailed opposition figures....

Subscribe to view this article

Subscribe Now

Already have an account?