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.

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)

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