Maldives, the smallest country in Asia, is traditionally called the King’s Island. The word Maldives means ‘the islands of Male’. The economy of the Maldives mainly depends on tourism. A report issued by Maldives’ Ministry of Tourism says, “The emergence of tourism in 1972 transformed country’s economy, moving rapidly from dependence on fisheries to tourism. In just three and a half decades, the industry became the main source of income. Tourism is also the country’s biggest foreign currency earner and the single largest contributor to the GDP.” According to the latest data released by the Tourism Ministry of the Maldives, in 2023 around 18 lakh people visited the country for tourism purpose.
The tourists included 2, 09,198 from India, 2, 09,146 from Russia and 1, 35,090 from Germany. Maldives had been in a good relationship with India before September 2023 when Mohamed Muizzu was elected the President of Maldives. Before that during the premiership of Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, things were quite different. He had been doing all his best to strengthen the working relationship with India as his political philosophy had always been ‘India First’. Internally the people of Maldives were not in favour of giving India the status of ‘the most important’.
They wanted the betterment, development and prosperity of their own country to be given all preference. So they vehemently expressed their reaction and resentment against ‘India First’ policy of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in the elections of 2023.
After Mohamed Muizzu’s coming into power, the bilateral relations could no more remain warm and cordial between the two countries.
The ownership of Lakshadweep Island is also a reason of conflict and confrontation between India and Maldives. This Island is claimed by India as part of its territory while the Maldives considers it as a disputed area. After Muizzu coming into power, the issue of Lakshadweep Island automatically aggravated.
As Maldives economy heavily relies on tourists coming there from India, Premier Modi asked the Indian tourists to boycott Maldives and give preference to the Lakshadweep Island. The basic purpose of this ‘wise suggestion’ was just to make Maldives feel a financial setback. In reaction and response to Modi’s move against Maldives, President Mohammad Muizzu planned a clear-cut shift in country’s foreign policy by showing his inclination towards China.
As a result of Muizzu’s successful diplomacy, China signed a defence cooperation agreement with the Maldives in March 2024. According to that agreement China would provide Maldives with free military assistance to promote stronger bilateral ties.
A Free Trade Agreement was also signed between the two countries which, according to President Muizzu, “will provide a myriad number of benefits to Maldivian economy”. In the first week of January 2024, China signed another agreement with Maldives regarding provision of assistance in expanding agricultural growth.
This agreement is expected to facilitate more than 200,000 people with reference to provision of basic agricultural commodities. Moreover, China has promised to develop Malé roads for free. Certainly all these agreements, plans and projects would bring the two countries closer to each other and certainly Chinese increasing influence in the Maldives is nothing very positive from Indian point of view. Experts are of the opinion that these all agreements may prove a serious challenge to the Indian hegemonic designs in the region.
It is also something very important that somewhere in the beginning of 2024, the Maldives President had set 10 May 2024 as the deadline for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel stationed within Maldivian territory. He had categorically warned that no Indian military personnel, including those in civilian attire, would be permitted to stay in his country after 19 May 2024. Feeling the gravity of Muizzu’s ultimatum, in the month of March, the Modi government called back 25 Indian troops deployed in Maldives’ southernmost city Addu which consists of inhabited islands. In short, the ‘India-First’ policy introduced by Ex-President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih is rapidly converting into ‘India-Out’ policy; and all credit of this revolutionary shift no doubt goes to President Muizzu.
The same ‘India Out’ campaign is getting speedy popularity in Bangladesh too. Different social media platforms are replete with slogans advocating the boycott of Indian products in Bangladesh with hashtags such as India Out, and Boycott India.
This campaign is being led by Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The basic difference between India Out Campaign in Maldives and in Bangladesh is that in Bangladesh the head of the state Prime Minister Hasina Wajid is doing all her best to crush this campaign but in Maldives the head of the state President Mohammad Muizzu is standing with his people. Against the will and desire of her people, Hasina has always played a role very subservient to India throughout her political career. In her wild inclination towards India, she even crosses all moral and ethical limits. In a recent statement she ridiculed rather insulted all supporters of the ‘India-Out Campaign’ with her derogatory remarks. She said, “First burn your wives’ Indian sarees, then boycott India”. Her statement is being harshly criticized by the people from all walks of life. The people of Bangladesh are a very hardworking and determined type of a nation.
They have all abilities to perform miracles. According to a report prepared by Bangladesh Export Promotion Bureau the country hit a milestone in the year 2023, fetching an all-time high of nearly $47 billion by apparel export. According to WTO’s World Statistical Review 2023, Bangladesh ranks second in garment exports as a single country. But unfortunately the Prime Minister of such a diligent and hardworking nation is depressing and discouraging her people by saying that they don’t have an ability of producing Sarees for their wives.
—The writer is Principal of a Government College and senior columnist, based in Multan.
