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
| Purpose | To strengthen the capability of the Maldivian Coast Guard and facilitate regional humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts |
| Significance | The 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 Developments | India 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 |
| Controversy | Allegations that the project was a cover for Indian military presence in Maldives; led to an “India Out” campaign backed by opposition leader Abdulla Yameen |
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)
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.