Maldives, is an island nation and a neighbour of India, lying in the Indian ocean. India was among the first nations to recognize Maldives in 1965. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared some images of his recent trip to Lakshadweep on 4^th January 2024. The aesthetic images of the beach and waters amazed the netizens around the world. Lakshadweep was the most searched word on internet for quite a few days. This triggered the politicians and people of Maldives.

Maldives is the nearest rival to Lakshadweep in tourism as both the places share some geographical features. While Maldives attracts a huge chunk of foreign tourists including Indians, Lakshadweep lies far behind in numbers. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi posting his images brought Lakshadweep to the narrative and many Indians started promoting Lakshadweep tourism on the social media.

                    Tweet made by Mariyam Shiuna insulting India

A twitter user named Malsha claiming to be the Deputy Minister, Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Information and Art in the Maldives government quoted the images of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Lakshadweep with laughing emojis. This followed a trail with many Maldivian citizens mocking India and Indian citizens with racist and slurry comments. 

After that a twitter user with the name Mariyam Shiuna claiming to be the Deputy Minister in the Maldives govt personally attacked PM Narendra Modi, referring to him as a ‘clown’ and a ‘puppet of Israel’. She later deleted the tweet, which said, “What a clown. The puppet of Israel Mr Narendra diver with a life jacket #VisitMaldives.” In yet another post, Shiuna tweeted that the Maldives does not need the Indian Military’s presence in the island nation. An old tweet of her also surfaced in which she was clearly visible mocking India.

Zahid Rameez, a Council member of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), made racist comments towards Indians, saying that Indians are dirty, and can’t provide services as Maldives does.

The whole policy of ‘India Out’ seems to be sponsored by the new government of Maldives under Mohamed Muizzu who is acting as a stooge of China and promoting hate against India in Maldives. India is major trade, defence and tourism partner of Maldives.

In 2018, India ranked as the fifth-highest contributor to tourist arrivals in the Maldives. Among the total of 1,484,274 visitors, approximately 6.1% (over 90,474) hailed from India. However, by 2019, India had ascended to the second position, witnessing a nearly twofold increase in arrivals (166,030) compared to the previous year. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic in 2020, India emerged as the primary source market for the Maldives, welcoming nearly 63,000 Indian visitors. In both 2021 and 2022, India maintained its leading position, recording over 291,000 and 241,000 tourist arrivals, respectively, and commanding a market share of 23% and 14.4%. In 2023, India with 100,915 tourists arrivals (until 13 June 2023) is the 1st leading source market for Maldives with a 11.8% market share.

(Source:Bilateral_Maldives.pdf (mea.gov.in)

Since 1988, defence and security collaboration has constituted a significant aspect of the partnership between India and Maldives. India has consistently demonstrated a flexible and accommodating approach in addressing Maldivian requirements for defence training and equipment. In April 2016, a comprehensive Action Plan for Défense was formalized, further solidifying the defence partnership between the two nations.

India stands out as the primary contributor, offering the largest number of training opportunities for the Maldivian National Defence Force (MNDF), satisfying approximately 70% of their defence training needs. Over the past decade, India has successfully trained more than 1,500 MNDF trainees.

The collaboration extends beyond training to encompass various military-to-military activities, including joint Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) patrols, anti-narcotic operations, Search and Rescue (SAR) missions, the sea-rider program, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercises, adventure camps, sailing regattas, and more. The Indian Navy has also provided MNDF with air assets for tasks such as air surveillance, Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC), SAR operations, and Helicopter-borne vertical insertion capabilities. The only naval vessel Maldives owns has been built in Kolkata and the 2 military attack helicopters owned by the Madives government have been gifted by the government of India.(Source: Bilateral_Maldives.pdf (mea.gov.in) )

Maldives relies on India for crucial imports and financial assistance. During his initial overseas visit after assuming office, the former President Solih embarked on a ‘State Visit’ to India in December 2018. On this occasion, India announced a financial assistance package totalling US$ 1.4 billion. This package included US$ 50 million designated as budgetary support for the Government of Maldives (GoM), a subscription by the State Bank of India (SBI) to GoM’s Treasury bills amounting to US$ 150 million, a Currency Swap Agreement for US$ 400 million, and the initiation of 8 infrastructure projects under the US$ 800 million Line of Credit (LoC).

In March 2019, the late Former External Affairs Minister, Smt. Sushma Swaraj, visited Maldives, where she met with President Solih, then-Speaker Qasim Ibrahim, MDP President Mohamed Nasheed, and various ministers. Notable agreements signed during the visit included the US$ 800 million LoC Agreement and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for grant assistance for High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs). Additionally, India generously gifted 2500 LED street lights and 2 lakh LED bulbs to the Malé City Council. In February 2021, the External Affairs Minister (EAM) visited the Maldives, engaging with President Solih, Speaker Nasheed, and holding meetings with the Foreign Minister, Ministers of Defence, Economic Development, Planning & Infrastructure, and Finance.

During this visit, agreements were signed, including the Undertaking and Funding (UTF) Agreement for the development of a harbour for the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) and a USD 50 million Line of Credit (LoC) for the MNDF. The EAM also contributed 100,000 doses of COVISHIELD vaccines to the Maldives. Furthermore, the Government of India (GoI) is actively supporting the restoration of Hukuru Miskiiy (Friday Mosque) in Malé through an Indian Grant amounting to INR 8.95 crores. (Source: Bilateral_Maldives.pdf (mea.gov.in) )

The Government of India has consistently played a leading role in providing support to the Maldives during challenging times. India was the first country to extend assistance to the Maldives in the aftermath of the 2004 Tsunami and during the water crisis in Malé in December 2014. These three critical instances (in 1988, 2004, and 2014) underscored India’s proximity and capability to swiftly come to the aid of the Maldives in times of distress, a recognition widely acknowledged by the government and the people of the Maldives. India’s prompt dispatch of 30,000 doses of measles vaccine in January 2020, aimed at preventing an outbreak in the Maldives, and the rapid and comprehensive assistance provided by India since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic have further solidified India’s standing as the “first responder.”

In 1988, India played a crucial role in thwarting a coup attempt involving approximately 400 gunmen in the Maldives. President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who served for three decades, took office in 1978 during a period of economic challenges and political instability in the island nation. His administration faced three coup d’état attempts in 1980, 1983, and 1988.

The last of these attempts could have had severe consequences for Maldivian democracy if not for India’s swift intervention.

On 3rd November, around four hundred gunmen of the People’s Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE), a militant Lankan Tamil organisation, along with a few Maldivian locals launched a predawn coup attempt against the Maldivian President. Additionally, some assailants had infiltrated Malé earlier in the disguise of visitors. As per the Indian Navy, the assailants who attempted the coup were around 300-500 strong in numbers.

Later it was revealed that the 1988 attempted coup was the brainchild of Maldivian businessman Abdullah Luthufee and Ahmed “Sagaru” Nasir. They were supported by Uma Maheswaran, leader of PLOTE.

After months of preparations, the PLOTE fighters and disgruntled Maldivian rebels arrived in Malé aboard a couple of Lankan freighters. They were armed with heavy machine guns, AK-47s, grenades, and mortars. They quickly launched a targeted attack on strategic buildings and with minimal losses gained control of the capital, including the major government buildings, airports, ports, television, and radio stations.

They also gained control over the headquarters of the NSS, Maldives’ sole armed force. They also took the Maldivian Education Minister as hostage. However, by the time they reached the Presidential Palace where President Gayoom was residing with his family, he was escorted by the Maldivian National Security Advisor to the Defense Minister’s home and later to a safe house. By afternoon, the mercenaries had gained control over the entire Island nation.

Meanwhile, President Gayoom reached out to India, the UK, and the US, seeking military intervention. India promptly responded positively and dispatched its troops within hours of receiving the request. Subsequently, the governments of the UK and the USA declared they would not intervene, citing India’s initiation of operations.

The Indian High Commissioner to the Maldives, Arun Bannerjee, learned about the situation around 6:30 am while at his residence in New Delhi. By 9 am, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi chaired a crisis committee meeting in South Block, with the Indian Army headquarters already informed about the potential operation.

The 50th Independent Parachute Brigade stationed in Agra was tasked with executing the operation under the leadership of Colonel Subhash C Joshi. Around 9:30 pm local time, the Air Force’s 44 Squadron, the leading unit of the Parachute Brigade, along with the High Commissioner, landed in Hulhulé, the main airport in the Maldives, utilizing two Ilyushin IL-76s. Simultaneously, the Indian Navy dispatched vessels towards the Maldives. This Indian military endeavor in the Maldives was dubbed Operation Cactus and involved approximately 1,600 personnel, including paratroopers.

The news of the arrival of Indian troops had an immediate chilling effect on the rebels who feared a resolute response from the Indian armed forces. They started fleeing to avoid their inevitable fate at the hands of Indian soldiers. The Indian soldiers immediately restored the Law-and-order situation upon their arrival on the Island nation and either neutralised or arrested the remaining rebels left on the Island. They secured President Gayoom by around 5 am on 4th November.

In his 2018 book “Operation Cactus,” Ashok Chordia, an Indian Air Force veteran involved in the operation, recounted how the rebels, unaware of the actual strength of the Indian troops, overestimated their numbers and were overwhelmed. Fearing pursuit by the Indian forces at sea, Luthufee and other armed mercenaries hijacked a merchant vessel, taking seven hostages, including Transport Minister Ahamed Mujuthaba, and headed towards Sri Lanka.

Following Brig Bulsara’s orders, Indian paratroopers launched an attack on the escaping rebel ship, causing significant damage to slow it down. Subsequently, the Indian Navy took charge of intercepting the vessel and executing the hostage rescue operation. Frigates INS Betwa (deployed from Kochi) and INS Godavari (returning from a friendly visit to Australia) were mobilized and tasked with intercepting the vessel before it entered Sri Lanka’s territorial waters, successfully apprehending the rebels on November 5th.

When negotiations proved futile, the Indian ships opened fire. Realizing the impossibility of escape, the mercenaries laid down their weapons and surrendered, eventually being taken aboard INS Godavari. Reports indicated that around 19 individuals, mostly mercenaries, were killed during the attempted coups, and a few tourists lost their lives at the hands of the mercenaries. Seven Maldivians and 68 Sri Lankan gunmen were arrested, interrogated, and put on trial in the Maldives.

Maldivian businessman Abdullah Luthufee, the mastermind behind the coup attempt, and three others received death sentences, later commuted at the request of Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Most Indian paratroopers returned immediately after restoring the democratic setup in the Maldives, with some remaining in Malé for over a fortnight. While the operation strengthened ties between the two neighboring countries, recent decades have witnessed fluctuations due to political forces advocating the ‘India out’ campaign, aligning with pro-China interests.

Meanwhile, Operation Cactus earned India global praise. US President Ronald Reagan described it as “a valuable contribution to regional stability,” and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher reportedly expressed gratitude, saying, “Thank God for India: President Gayoom’s government has been saved.”

Despite continuous support to the Maldives, the Maldivian politicians and people couldn’t tolerate the Indian PM’s attempt to promote Lakshadweep tourism. It is quite a fact that the Maldives economy is totally dependent on tourism. India has been a biggest partner of Maldives in developing its tourism industry. A majority of infrastructure projects in Maldives have received grants by the government of India. Maldives enjoys the luxury of being in proximity to India. Maldives has been able to minimize its defence budget as the government of India has always helped Maldives in case of any security failures.

The current discourse led by the Maldives politicians and people of Maldives is not only an insult to the people of India but also a back-stabbing at the back to a friend nation which has always helped Maldives in times of extreme distress.

This calls for the government of Maldives to issue a public apology and condemn all the acts done by the people holding official positions in the government of Maldives. The government of India should act in the Favor of citizens of India and work progressively for the development of Lakshadweep as a major tourist spot in the Indian ocean.

The government of India must also look upon its various projects in Maldives and regulate the flow of finance. India has always acted with the policy of enacting good and peaceful relations with its neighbours but any insult to the people and culture of India is an intolerable offence.