A new security architecture on anvil during PM's visit to Indian Ocean neighbourhood
New Delhi: With an eye for a robust security architecture among immediate neighbourhood on the Indian Ocean, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has chosen his first foreign visit to the Maldives and Sri Lanka.
These two countries are now apparently believed in India First policy. Modi's visit to the Maldives, his first after re-affirmation of a robust mandate in the recent polls is a strong reiteration of his "neighbourhood-first" policy, san Pakistan. This was also amply evident in the participation of BIMSTEC heads of government in Modi's swearing-in ceremony.
Moreover, recent terror attacks in Sri Lanka has also created a lot of concern for Indian security agencies. During his visit, PM may propose a security umbrella which will be helpful for both the countries.
The Prime Minister will pay a state visit to the Republic of Maldives on 8-9 June 2019 at the invitation of Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, President of Maldives.
From there Modi will also visit Sri Lanka on 9 June 2019 at the invitation of Maithripala Sirisena, President of Sri Lanka. A release by the MEA said that the visits to the Maldives and Sri Lanka will demonstrate the priority India attaches to its 'Neighbourhood-First Policy' and the SAGAR Doctrine."
Underlining the growing salience of the Indian Ocean and global maritime commons in India's strategic calculus, Modi while unveiling Sagar doctrine in the tear 2016, had called for intensifying cooperation among navies and maritime agencies of the world to engineer virtuous cycles of cooperation. Linking his 'Sagar' doctrine with the larger project of transforming India by developing a blue economy, the Indian leader underscored the growing indigenization of the Indian naval capability through Make in India.
In the case of Maldives during President Yameen's government the bilateral relations were strained and then Maldives regime welcomed Chinese defence forces into the Indian Ocean territory. Disregarding India's deep concern, Yameen opened up the Maldives for Chinese investments in many areas including projects that impinge on India's security in the Indian Ocean Region. Also, Yameen's tenure was rife with internal tumult. Modi did not visit the Maldives during the earlier regime. President Ibu Solih, his election as President was heartily welcomed by India, has re-established 'India-first' policy.
Significantly, Modi was the only head of government to attend President Solih's swearing-in in November last year which was followed by latter's bilateral visit to India.
While China has made inroads in the Maldives and expanded its footprint in the past five years by financing mega-projects such as the bridge linking Male and Hulumale, buying islands, contributing to Maldives' tourism etc., India's approach has been different.
On the other hand, in the past six months under President Solih's government, India has fast-tracked many projects that have significantly touched the lives of Maldivians in the health sector, education (ITEC and other scholarships), urban development, sports, restoration of old mosques by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) etc., says the former Indian envoy to the Maldives.
In addition, and significantly at that, India provided budgetary support and revived lines of credit to deal with the debt burden and finance new ventures. The visit, among other things, is likely to consider crucial projects, discuss Indian Ocean security issues and providing expertise in the SME sector.
Modi's visit is sure to breathe new life into bilateral relations with the Maldives and in a larger context, flag-off Modi 2.0 foreign policy agenda.
The Maldives is of strategic importance to India and is home to over 22,000 Indians. There are more than 1,000 coral islands and atolls which are covering a huge maritime area stretching 750 km from the north to the south.
