The Maldives’ recent anti-India moves – the recent Lakshadweep row or President Mohamed Muizzu’s breaking of tradition with visit to Turkey and China first, with no plans for India – are a sign that there will be more provocation as the country aims to emerge as a radical Muslim nation, according to top intelligence sources. “Muizzu is under pressure from radical groups to take anti-India stance," they said.
In recent years, the Maldives has seen high level of radicalization. According to recent survey reports released by local NGOs, at least 600-700 from the Maldives have joined the Islamic State (IS or ISIS) in Syria. “The number is high in comparison to the population. They have joined mainstream fighter groups. According to the CIA, the number stands at 1,000," said sources.
While the island country is mainly dependent on tourism, a section of politician gets funding from radical groups and drug dealers, said sources. “In recent years, China is pumping in money into the Maldives. The ISI has also made sleeper cells," sources said. “Their jails are becoming haven for militants because people who are in jails are approached by these drug dealers and terror groups to work for religious activism."
MUIZZU’s ANTI-INDIA PROMISE
Muizzu had promised anti-India stance to these radical groups and he is under compulsion to act now after coming to power, they said. That explains why Muizzu, within 24 hours of taking the oath as the president of the strategically located archipelago nation in the Indian Ocean, in November 2023, formally requested India to withdraw its military troops from the country, saying the Maldivian people have given him a “strong mandate" to make this request to New Delhi.
He also had a meeting with Union minister Kiren Rijiju, where he maintained that he would keep his election promise of evicting Indian military personnel from his country. During his election campaign, Muizzu had repeatedly indicated that the withdrawal of Indian military troops from the island nation is among the issues that need to be resolved by the two countries.
In 2022, too, an angry mob had entered the Maldives national football stadium and disrupted the International Yoga Day celebrations which were being held by the Maldives government in association with the Indian Cultural Center.
LAKSHADWEEP ROW & CHINA FIRST
The Lakshadweep row began after PM Narendra Modi posted pictures and videos of his Lakshadweep visit, which went viral and prompted many social media users to suggest that the union territory could be an alternative tourist destination to the Maldives.
The derogatory remarks and comments of ministers and government officials against India and PM Modi, triggered a diplomatic row. The Maldives government distanced itself from the remarks, suspending three government officials.
CNN-News18 had earlier reported how the Maldives appears open to hostile ties with India, citing top government sources.
Muizzu’s predecessors, in the recent past, visited India first, considering the wide-ranging bilateral ties and the Maldives’ proximity to India, followed by China which has expanded its influence in the island nation by investing in major infrastructure projects there.
Muizzu arrived in China on Monday on a five-day state visit during which he is due to hold talks with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping and sign several agreements to bolster the bilateral ties.
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