Hope on the horizon

Journal of Politics and Governance, 2017

One of the littoral states of India is Maldives, located in the south western tip of the country. A small island country in South Asia, Maldives's relations with India have been cordial and on numerous occasions India as a neighbouring country had assisted Maldives in its trajectory to economic development, welfare and security. However Maldives has strategic significance for India since it is situated in the middle of the Indian Ocean and several internal as well as external factors which are affecting Maldives has an adverse implications on India. Such as the political turmoil which happened from 2008 to 2012 and growing influence of China in the island nation and. The article sets to analyse the relationship between India and Maldives from 1968 onwards when Maldives became a republic till contemporary times with special emphasis on the changing foreign policy approaches of both the countries in the last decade. Also the article examines the concerns which India has for Maldives as neighbouring country.

ISSUE BRIEF, 2019

International Journal of Social Impact , 2025

The Indian Ocean region holds immense geopolitical and geostrategic importance, acting as a hub for global maritime trade and a theater for international power dynamics. Within this framework, India and the Maldives share a deep-rooted historical, cultural, and economic relationship, shaped by proximity and mutual interests. This paper examines the evolving strategic partnership between India and the Maldives, focusing on security cooperation, economic collaboration, and diplomatic engagement. The analysis highlights India's role as a regional power and security guarantor, particularly through initiatives like the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) policy. It explores the Maldives' significance as a critical node in India's maritime strategy and its potential as a partner in combating challenges such as piracy, terrorism, and climate change. Simultaneously, the study evaluates the influence of external powers, such as China, in reshaping the bilateral dynamic and necessitating greater strategic synergy. Through a multidimensional approach, this paper underscores the importance of a robust India-Maldives partnership in ensuring stability, sustainable development, and security in the Indian Ocean, contributing to the broader regional and global order.

Interdisciplinary Journal of Management and Social Sciences, 2025

The continuous rivalry among the most powerful nations in the Indian Ocean region is not a new idea in modern times. IOR has important marine commerce routes that link with South Asian nations and cover one-fifth of the world's total ocean area. Over the last three decades, China's nautical footprint in the Indian Ocean has grown significantly. Many people believe that the "Open Door Policy" was a turning point in China's 19th-century economic growth history. But in the twenty-first century, Beijing is trying to forge closer relationships with smaller governments in the area to protect their own economic and security interests via the adoption of new, positive policies. The "Treasure Island, or Last Paradise on Earth" Maldives is one of the small islands in IOR. Due to its unique geographical location, the Maldives maintains a close connection with China. China's "Red Dragon or Sleeping Giant" has maintained a warm relationship with the tiny and serene Maldives. We try to observe the traditional and modern relations between China and the Maldives. China's economy relies on the safe maritime lanes in the IOR to deliver energy resources. China always shows interest in the Maldives. This article explores how China has maintained its political and socioeconomic ties with the Maldives since 1972, as well as how the Maldives have recognized its geographic importance in the Indian Ocean region. It also discusses the role of China's government in helping the Maldivians develop projects through MOUs. It also focuses on enhancing the relationship between the Maldives and China.

South Asia Journal

The recent three-day official visit to India (December 2018) by the Maldivian President Solih, only comes within a month after taking over the reins of the nation. The Indian PM Modi has been invited to attend the swearing-in ceremony of President Ibrahim Solih. These steps of the newly elected President Solih have given signals that he is committed to improving the bilateral relations with India. Under the previous regime of former President Yameen, the bilateral relations had become more strained as he shown more pro-China tilt and harbouring anti-India stances. The newly elected Maldives' President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih committed to attune the Maldivian foreign policy coupled with India First Policy. Now, the question is how India could maintain this goodwill by recalibrating its neighbourhood policy?

Master's Thesis , 2015

In the power politics of strategic manoeuvring and counter balancing in the Indian Ocean region, smaller states attract the attention of all the major powers and are subjected to external pressure. Maldives, though a small state with limited resources and diplomatic clout, plays a vital role in the regional geostrategic dynamics mainly based on its geographic location. By examining the foreign policy of the Maldives, this study provides insight into the country’s relations with India and China, and attempts to display its political autonomy amid the strategic manoeuvring in the Indian Ocean by the two big states. This study documents the changes in the Maldives’ foreign policy during all its presidencies, from independence till 2015, by taking it as a synchronic case study that could be a useful resource for other small states in articulating foreign policies. By applying Rosenau’s explanatory factors of foreign policy and Knudsen’s variables for maintaining small state autonomy, this study establishes that the Maldives’ exploitation of alliance strategy compounds its insecurities. It also raises concerns for the Maldives’ external behaviour, as the political leadership could be eliciting a higher-than-anticipated cost through a compelled revision of interests. Against this backdrop, this study outlines behavioural and policy changes the Maldives can adopt to mitigate its insecurities, and safeguard its interests and autonomy.

Indian Society for Legal Research

The Maldives is an archipelagic state situated in the Indian Ocean. It is one of the world’s most geographically dispersed sovereign States having close commercial, cultural and political ties to India and Sri Lanka. In the 12th century, Islam reached the shores of the Maldives, which was consolidated as a Sultanate developing close ties with Asia and Africa.

Air Power , 2013

This paper studies the impact of terrorism and security concerns of India in the Maldives. Terrorist activities and security loopholes pose a grave concern for the Maldives and negatively impact relations with neighboring countries. China's involvement in the Maldives and the 'India out' campaign of the opposition parties there are putting severe pressure on the strategic relations between Maldives and India. The United States' engagement with the Maldives, as well as Maldives' appreciation of the Quad will strengthen India's position within Maldives. But, India should help the island nation achieve social and infrastructural development and use its soft power to allay the anti-India sentiment prevailing there. Further, India's defence cooperation with the Maldives will improve India's ability to monitor Chinese maritime and naval operations along critical communication water lanes that run alongside the Maldives. As a result, solid economic cooperation, shared democratic principles, and strong defense relations are highly recommended.