New Delhi: Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla is on his two-day visit to the Maldives to deepen ties between the two nations. This is the first high-level-in-person interaction between the two countries since the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Former ambassador Jitendra Tripathi opines that Foreign Secretary’s visit to the Maldives amid COVID-19 means a lot. It can be considered as a strategic move because the Maldives is right next to India’s western coast, somewhere near Sri Lanka and 30 minutes flight from Thiruvananthapuram.
“It is strategically very well located because all the ships passing these areas coming from any direction, makes it very important. In its last regime under the leadership of Ex Prez Nasheed, the Maldives with the help of China tried its best to oust India from many major projects. The Maldives was quite against India and was pro-Pakistan too because, in Northern Atoll, terrorist organizations from Pakistan started operating. It was also clear that ISI was also present in the Northern Atoll. That was indeed a very threatening factor for India because down South in Srilanka, China had got control of Hambantota port. So India was quite uncomfortable with these” Tripathi told ETV Bharat.
“Shringla’s visit to the Maldives is to reassure the Government of Maldives of India’s bonafide and friendly intention to help the Maldives be a ‘partner in progress’ and not be a ‘donor’ like Chinese do, which the Maldivian government very much appreciates. This is a very important visit," he stated.
Also read: Japanese Crown Prince formally declared 1st in line to throne
He says, the present Maldivian government is pro-India and right from the beginning; the Maldivian government has made it clear that it is with India on measures concerning traditional issues. Earlier, the situation was quite tensed between India and Maldives but now there is strong defence cooperation, developmental assistance between the two countries. India has provided the 100 bedded Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital to the Maldives.
Tripathi underlines that although the airport has been developed by China in the Maldives India has so far given scholarships to Maldivian students to study not only in Indian Universities but in colleges too because there were hardly only one or two high schools in the Maldives.
Besides, India has invested in various projects in the Maldives including electrification and Transportation projects. In this context, India is comfortable with the Maldives unlike China, he pointed out and adding that the recent visit followed by the announcement of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that Washington is going to open an embassy in the Maldives, will bring a huge change in Malé. Currently, Maldives have only 4-5 embassies including India, SriLanka, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
Earlier today, Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla called on President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih at the President’s Office Republic of Maldives.
During the call, the President and the Foreign Secretary discussed ways of further strengthening the Maldives-India partnership. Noting that this year marks the 55th anniversary of formal diplomatic ties between our two countries, the President remarked that the strong bilateral ties between the two countries are matched by the frequent and friendly interactions between the peoples, read the statement from the President’s office Republic of Maldives.
Further discussion was held on enhancing regional trade and connectivity, economic cooperation, tourism and overcoming the pandemic. Maldivian President expressed his gratitude to the Indian Government for agreeing to implement an air-bubble between the two countries and remarked that increasing amounts of Indian tourists have visited the Maldives since the country reopened its international borders.
The President also thanked India for the many ongoing projects in the Maldives made feasible through the Indian Government’s Line of Credit agreement with it, including the Greater Male’ Connectivity Project, Gulhifalhu Port Project, Water and Sewerage related projects in 34 islands across 16 atolls, as well as a Cancer Hospital.
Later, Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla called on Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid and signed MoUs on setting up of a Drug-Detox Centre in Addu City and upgrading the Agricultural Research Centre in Hanimaadhoo as part of India’s approx. MVR 200 million grants for High-Impact projects. He also met other high-level officials in the Maldives.
Also read: Sindhi nationalists hold anti-Pak demonstration in Karachi
According to sources, during his visit, Foreign Secretary Shringla will also hand over $100 million for the Maldives--the Greater Malé Connectivity Project (GMCP). India is overall providing funding of $500 million for the project, of which $100 million is a grant and $400 million is a Line of Credit (LOC). The biggest project of the country will connect capital Malé with Villingili, Thilafushi and Gulhifalhu via bridges and causeways of a total length of 6.695 kilometres.
“During the COVID-19, China has been cornered on many fronts by the western powers for its violation of human rights in Hong Kong, Mongolia, Tibet and also China’s presence in South East Asia. With that China is trying to find avenues to have its presence and Maldives could have been a soft target. Therefore, India needed to reassure the neighbouring countries that more than China, it is India which can be a friend in need without any selfish intention”, Tripathi explained.
There are many professionals including Indian teachers, nurses, doctors, engineers working in the Maldives. Therefore, it gives a big sense of comfort to Maldivians as well as Indians”, further said former ambassador Tripathi.
The Foreign Secretary's visit is testimony to the importance that India attaches to its relations with the Maldives and is expected to lend further momentum to cooperation between the two countries and as pointed out the MEA, the Maldives occupies a special place in India’s Neighbourhood policy.
