India & Maldives Relations

India and Maldives share ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious and commercial links 

Context: India and the Maldives have marked a milestone in their defence ties with the laying of the foundation stone for the Coast Guard ‘Ekatha Harbour’ in the Uthuru Thila Falhu atoll.

Importance

Prelims: International Relations, Location of Maldives & neighbouring areas

Mains:
UPSC General Studies Paper- II

India & Maldives Relations
PurposeTo strengthen the capability of the Maldivian Coast Guard and facilitate regional humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts
SignificanceThe project is among the biggest Indian grant-in-aid projects in the Maldives; a major step in growing defence cooperation between India and Maldives
Other DevelopmentsIndia gifted an additional landing craft to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF); India had gifted a Dornier aircraft, patrol vessel, and coastal radar system to the Maldives in previous years
ControversyAllegations that the project was a cover for Indian military presence in Maldives; led to an “India Out” campaign backed by opposition leader Abdulla Yameen
Importance of Maldives for India: Long-standing ties with the Maldives; strategic location in the Indian Ocean; beneficial to India and other nations in the region with common maritime interests; in the backdrop of growing Chinese attempts to expand its influence in the region.

Prelims Question for Practice

Q. Consider the following statements regarding the Greater Male connectivity project-
1. It involves the construction of the bridge of length 10.74km.
2. Whole project cost is given as a grant to Maldives government by India

Choose the correct statement/s:
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans. D

Mains Question for Practice
Discuss the political developments in the Maldives in the last two years. Should they be of any cause for concern to India? (UPSC CSE 2013)

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