Will the man in the street of Malé be able to bear the outcome of the spat between India and the Maldives?
The one, and the only time I have ever been to the Maldives was without a passport, visa or an air ticket. Yet there was a red-carpet welcome. The Maldivians, their Government and their President in particular, were thankful for that visit of ours. In a handwritten note which he gave me, a senior military officer had expressed the sentiment: “Your Governments kind assistance is very much appreciated by our Force. National Security Service.” Signed Major Mohamed Zahir 4/11/88. He also presented me a cap badge and a formation sign of the NSS as souvenirs. “Do come over again in better times,” he had said, extending an invitation to me to the island nation. Perhaps that generous offer from a grateful Maldivian has become time-barred.
That was in November 1988—the Indian Armed Forces had provided succour to the then Government of Mr MA Gayoom in the midst of an attempted coup. The IAF had airlifted the paratroopers from Agra to Malé (2600km away); the paratroopers had rescued the President and restored calm. The Indian Navy had rounded up the fleeing rebels.
Much bloodshed was avoided; the medics of the Indian Army had taken over the Central Hospital to provide care to the wounded. The authorities had fallen short of words to appreciate the gesture (read the letter). The Indian troops remained in the Maldives for six months providing security cover and training the Maldivian forces.
And that was nearly 35 years ago.
Time, tide and China have caused the erosion of the relationship that had been built on mutual trust and cooperation over the intervening decades. In the Maldives of President Mohamed Moizzu, the presence of an Indian helicopter and a handful of men—stationed to provide assistance to the Maldivians with the explicit understanding with the previous governments—is no longer acceptable. The manner in which it has been put forth by the man speaks volumes about his standing as the President of a sovereign country. Mind his body language and that of the Al Jazeera anchor during his recent interview to the television channel. The President is sitting up like a schoolboy answering the anchor who is leaning back, cross legged and pointing a pencil at him like a teacher. During their interaction, he appeared fidgety as if he were under instructions from his bosses to tow a particular line.
For sure, minds in Delhi will be working overtime to establish how things have come to such a pass, and more importantly, how to turn the tide. At the same time, the leaderships in Beijing and Malé must be looking forward to extracting the maximum they can from their present bonhomie. The people of Maldives will feel the effect of the Chinese bear hug sooner than later. It’ll be myopic on their part to ignore the outcome of Beijing’s largesse to Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and the result of China’s benevolence in Africa and South America.
Knowing the sentimental Indian, it wouldn’t be long before the ripples caused by #EXPLOREINDIANISLANDS and #boycottmaldives turn into waves. And, it shouldn’t be surprising if those waves turn into a tidal waves and then, into a tsunami that takes a small toll on Maldivian Tourism. As it appears, many have already reworked their plans (changed the destination from the Maldives to the Lakshadweep). A more likely and significant positive spinoff of the spat triggered by the unsavoury comment of a Maldivian politician (on Prime Minister Modi’s call to make Indian islands a tourist destination) would be an improvement in the facilities that our islands provide.
With a few Bollywood celebs echoing the anti-Maldives sentiment, investors might reconsider their plans of shooting their films on locales in the Maldives. A few cancellations will be enough for the Maldivians to feel the heat. Not long ago, I had advised my friends working on two of my stories—one inspired by Operation Cactus, and the other, based on a life changing event in the life of a military veteran—to plan shooting in the Lakshadweep rather than the Maldives. Although those suggestions were purely to keep the costs down, the present euphoria is nudging the decision further in this direction.
In the foreseeable future, Maldivians are less likely to give up visiting India for medical care or enrolling in Indian educational institutions or for other reasons. Visiting India is a need for the Maldivians.
A dispassionate cost benefit analysis of the current spat might show a little gain (or at least, NO LOSS) for India in the near future. The long-term tangible and intangible losses for the Maldives might be unbearable. Needless to say, the islands leased by the Maldives to Beijing have been a thorn in India’s side. Interestingly, the wisdom of an old Hindi proverb boils down to: “Use a thorn to take out a thorn.”
A dragon doesn’t have a soft belly. But it shouldn’t be impossible to find some delicate spots to insert a few needles to relieve the pain in India’s side. I am sure Jay (read Jai, if you will) is at it.
[Note: As I post this article, news of suspension of three Maldivian Ministers for their derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is making headlines. Will this action by President Mohamed Moizzu, stop the impending tsunami? Let’s wait and watch.]
Now read… “Malé will sink!”
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Impressive and awesome
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Very well analysed .
Admirable narration .
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Dear Gp Capt Chordia, a very nice article, thanks for forwarding.
Angry posts on social media against the Maldives, 94 percent Muslim, hub of ISIS, filthy place etc will not help the cause of our country. Yes, we can ruin their economy in no time! But our country will suffer if the Dragon gets a foothold there. I feel that our arm twisting will do more harm to us ourselves, strategically. Some kind of action needs to be taken to reassure and placate them.Regards.
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Bang on….it is the Maldives that stands to lose…not India…economically at least…but the presence of China in our immediate neighborhood is definitely worrisome.
Hopefully, the Maldivian go ernment would learn their lesson…and fast too, when they look at the mess in SL and Pakistan (also their mentor).
While the Indian public may avoid Maldives for a vacation, the Indian politicians too should be supportive of the Government and not pass (stupid) comments as has been done by the Hon’ble MP from the Congress party, who is also it President…..!!
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– For strategic reasons and the threat China-Pak nexus poses to India’s martime power balance in IOR, Maldieves straying away from India into adversaries lap needs to be prevented.
-Maldieves being a tiny country, policy of boycot, intimidation and use of military force to get Maldieves elected govt around will be counterproductive .
-To that extend anti Maldies hetoric in Indian media , mocking Madieves size & stature vis a vis India , jingoism of threatening Maldieves of dire consequences , reminding it to be in its limits etc are actions hurt long term Maldieves India relation and India’s interest more than it yeild any fruitful result.
– The downside and outright failure of this kind of policy towards its smaller land locked and economically dependent neighbour has been seen in Nepal and how India caused so much hardship and hurt to Nepalis pride thereby completely alienated the common Nepalis in street against India , a sentiment that has not been repaired till now in Nepalis politics and China taking full advantage of it .
– It must be understood that in India’s neighbourhood like Nepal Bhutan, B’Desh, Sri Lanka & Maldieves , Indian competition with China for influence is not that of the ability to use superior forces, waging greater economic war, using grter money power, or even diplomatic or cultural war .
– It must be clearly understood that India’s actual war with China for having greater influence in its neighbour hood (for strategic, economic & security reasons) is “THE WAR OF PERCEPTION” that is fought today by nations in the “GreyZone” , “Digital world”, “Social Media” and the “Cyber World” . Objective is winning the hearts and minds of the electorals in these country and enforce how India and China are perceived by the people and voters in these countries .
– In the first round India has clearly lost this war of perception in Pakistan, Nepal and Maldives to China due to its poor misplaced policies , and non-existence of a committed , solid , dedicated and elaborate long term “Grey Zone Warfare Strategy” in these countries ?
– How much India has the IT, digital technology , Social Media , & Data access and Data monopoly prowess in these countries ?
-What is India’s strategies and action plans for preventing penetration of Chinese digital technology , IT Network, monopoly of data & Social media and Cyber capabilities in these countries and how India is trying to create its own covert monopolies in these areas in these societies ??
– Between China and India , who so ever has the upper hand in these areas will be able to influece the hearts and monds of the people and the leaders they vote into power . There is no limit to misinformation , falsehood, hatered , antipathy , demenofication, hostile attitude, anti pathy that can be created
In the electorate through the technological monopoly and greater wherewithals at the command of these countries .
– the perception war will be won by the party who ultimately wins the “DIGITAL WAR “ in these countrie. Rest is all periferal to the core issue.
– RSMehta , Gp Capt , Gen Secy , IIRF . https://indusresearch.in/
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