India and Maldives, two fulcrums in the Indian Ocean with deep historical links, are now elevating their partnership, working closely on a broad security agenda that includes counter terrorism, de-radicalisation and violent extremism in the region. Talks, held during the first meeting of India-Maldives Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism, builds on the active engagement of the two South Asian nations on maintaining peace and security in the Indian Ocean Region, the heart of East-West trade. India, already deeply involved in enhancing the military heft of the Maldivian defence forces, has also appreciated the 'clear-eyed stance' taken by the government led by Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to take terrorism head on.
During the meeting held in the Indian capital yesterday, both countries emphasised deeper international cooperation to bust terror networks spawned by UN proscribed terror groups through sustained and coordinated actions. Vikas Swarup, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs and Maldivian Foreign Secretary Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed led the talks.
A joint statement released after the meeting nailed specific areas for the two countries to work together: de-radicalisation and violent extremism, combating financing of terrorism, preventing exploitation of the internet for terrorism and violent extremism, information sharing, capacity building and establishing institutional linkages between police, security forces, customs, immigration and other relevant agencies.
For countering drug trafficking, it was decided that India will assist the Maldivian forces to build capacity, further strengthening their security and law enforcement agencies.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar during his visit to the Maldives in February
India First for Maldives, Neighbourhood First for India
The time-tested and good neighbourly ties between India and the Maldives have scaled new heights since Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to the Maldives in June 2019, official sources said. The 'India First' foreign policy of President Solih has been reciprocated in full measure by PM Modi's 'Neighbourhood First' policy in which Maldives enjoys a central position.
In February, during his visit to Male, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had reaffirmed India's commitment to further deepen and strengthen the relationship as both countries celebrate the 55th anniversary since the establishment of diplomatic relations.
Recalling the number of high-level visits since November 2018, and noting the various interactions despite the Covid-19 pandemic, Jaishankar spoke about the warm and friendly atmosphere, reflective of the renewed dynamism over the past two years in the traditionally close relationship.
On January 20, Maldives became the first country to receive, as a gift, 100000 doses of India-manufactured vaccines within 96 hours of the country-wide rollout in India. Last week, on March 29, Maldives received another 100,000 doses of the India-manufactured, WHO-approved Covid-19 vaccine to commence the second dose of vaccinations for its people.
The support extended by India through the ‘Vaccine Maitri’ initiative has marked yet another milestone in the landmark partnership between both the countries. The Indian government had last year also evacuated seven Maldivians from the virus-hit Chinese city of Wuhan.
With connectivity being the key – currently over 45 flights per week are operating between the Maldives and seven destinations in India – the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is also assisting in the development of Hanimaadhoo Airport and Addu Gan Airport being financed under the $800million Line of Credit.
Securing the Indian Ocean Region
The Maldives has reiterated its support for India's candidature for permanent membership of an expanded and reformed UN Security Council while India has strongly supported the candidature of its Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid for President of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly.
The defence ties between the two countries also continue to get a boost with several high-profile visits and meetings during the past six months.
NSA Ajit Doval, Lankan Defence Secretary Major General (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne and Maldives Defence Minister Mariya Didi at the trilateral meeting in Colombo, last November
During the 4th Trilateral Maritime Security Cooperation held in Colombo last November, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval conversed with Mariya Didi, Maldives' Minister of Defence, on further boosting defence cooperation between both the countries.
Underscoring the importance of defence and security cooperation, Didi then visited India from February 3-8, meeting Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Indian Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and several other officials.
