News Analysis |
Abdullah Yameen, the president of the Maldives has lifted a 45-day state of emergency on March 22, 2018. The emergency was declared amid political turmoil that followed a court order to release some judicial personnel and retry some of Yemen’s political opponents. They were imprisoned after trials that were criticized for alleged violations of due process.
The emergency was condemned by the US, UK, France, UN and European Council. China also called for a political solution and proposed that Maldives should resolve its conflicts internally and to respect the Maldives sovereignty and territorial integrity. Nonetheless, the international community has played a sufficient role to normalize Maldives situation.
The president’s half- brother and former dictator, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, and Supreme Court Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed, Justice Ali Hemeed and four lawmakers were arrested during the emergency and accused to overthrow the government.
The iHavan website says it is just “a few minutes away” from the nearest Indian land. China’s economic influence on its neighboring countries is increasing and India’s reluctance for China’s Belt & Road strategy will not enable it (India) to match China in terms of economy.
Read more: The Maldives: a honeymoon haven in peril
India was asked for Helped
In early February, Muhammad Nasheed, the former president, had called India to send an envoy backed by its military to help free Gayoom and the political detainees. According to media reports, the tourism has been affected severely because of this emergency. Many of hotel bookings were cancelled.
President Yameen is more inclined towards China than India. China has invested immensely in Maldives under its Belt & Road Initiative. If the former president, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom come back to power in the result of this political drama, India could exert more influence in Maldives; Gayoom is relatively more influenced by India. India could have taken an advantage of oust of Yameen during the recent political chaos in Maldives but Yameen led the country towards peace and stability by lifting the emergency.
Read more: What role is India playing in the crisis in the Maldives?
China-Maldives Bilateral Cooperation
Currently, there are more prospects for China-Maldives bilateral cooperation. India has some concerns over their cooperation. Moreover, Times of India had first reported on February 26, “China is looking to build what the Maldives officially describes as a Joint Ocean Observation Station on the westernmost atoll of Makunudhoo in northern Maldives, not far from Lakshadweep.”
The president’s half- brother and former dictator, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, and Supreme Court Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed, Justice Ali Hemeed and four lawmakers were arrested during the emergency and accused to overthrow the government.
In December, 2017, China and Maldives has signed 12 agreements, including a memorandum of understanding on the Belt and Road project, a free trade agreement and agreements on the economy, human resources, oceans, environment, health care and finance. Maldives is considered as an integral part of B & R Initiative. Signing these 12 agreements, Xi Said, “China is willing to dovetail the development strategies with the Maldives and share opportunities to realize common prosperity.” B & R aims to build trade and infrastructure networks connecting three continents Asia, Europe and Africa on and beyond the ancient Silk Road routes.
Read more: The Sino-Indian Great Game
China and Saudi Arabia have both invested in the project to develop a new economic zone with a port, airport, cruise hub, marina and dockyard in the northernmost atoll of the Maldives, Ihavandhippolhu. It is one of China’s port projects in South Asia that are fuelling security worries in India, which says the ports represent “a string of pearls” to contain its regional power in the Indian Ocean. The iHavan website says it is just “a few minutes away” from the nearest Indian land.
China’s economic influence on its neighboring countries is increasing and India’s reluctance for China’s Belt & Road strategy will not enable it (India) to match China in terms of economy.