Subject: International Relations

India's relationship with Maldives holds paramount importance due to its strategic location along vital maritime trade routes in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The recent diplomatic tensions and increasing Chinese presence have brought renewed focus on this crucial partnership.

Geopolitical and Geostrategic Significance

• Maritime Trade Routes:

  • Maldives sits astride crucial Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) connecting East Asia with West Asia and Europe.
  • Nearly 30% of India's total trade and 80% of oil imports pass through nearby waters, particularly the Strait of Malacca.
  • Acts as a vital checkpoint for monitoring maritime traffic in the central Indian Ocean.

• Energy Security:

  • Critical for securing India's energy imports, given that India imported 234.26 million tonnes of crude oil in 2023-24.
  • Helps protect vital energy shipments with 89% import dependency for crude oil and 46.6% for natural gas.
  • Strategic location enables monitoring of energy supply chains from the Persian Gulf to East Asia.

• Strategic Significance:

  • Proximity: Just 700 km from India’s Lakshadweep and 1,200 km from its mainland, Maldives lies close to India’s west coast and crucial naval installations.
  • Chokepoint Security: The Maldives is near the Eight Degree Channel, a vital route for India’s energy imports and international trade.
  • Naval Outreach: The archipelago serves as a natural outpost for India’s maritime domain awareness (MDA) in the western Indian Ocean.

Geographic positions of India and Maldives

Impact on Maritime Security and Regional Stability

• Military Cooperation:

  • Regular joint exercises like 'Exercise Ekuverin 2025' enhance interoperability between armed forces.
  • Strengthens counter-terrorism and humanitarian assistance capabilities.
  • Helps maintain maritime domain awareness in the region.

• International Competition:

  • Growing Chinese investments through Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects like:
    • Velana International Airport expansion.
    • China-Maldives Friendship Bridge.
  • Increasing Chinese economic influence raises concerns about strategic autonomy.

• Regional Stability Challenges:

  • Risk of militarization of the Indian Ocean.
  • Potential for debt-trap diplomacy affecting regional power dynamics.
  • Need for balanced engagement to maintain strategic equilibrium.

The evolving geopolitical landscape in Maldives demands India's careful attention through initiatives like "SAGAR" (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and "Neighborhood First" policy. The success of India's maritime strategy largely depends on maintaining strong ties with this crucial Indian Ocean partner while balancing against external influences.