Perceptions on India–Maldives Relations Over the Decades

Abstract

Maldives is generally known as a popular destination for high-end tourism that has a peaceful population. But things are different at the present scenario, where social, religious, political, economic and more importantly environmental significance has gained momentum with regard to the Maldives. India–Maldives relations had witnessed and evolved on the background of myriad developments at the international and regional levels, including that of the Cold War, nuclear weapons proliferation, emergence of regional giants, turmoil and conflicts in neighbouring states. The process of globalisation and its resultant policy changes at international, regional and national levels also had its impact on India–Maldives relations. For the Maldives, being a small atoll island state and the kind of vulnerabilities that it is inherent with, the survival instincts as a nation from the time of its independence had shaped its foreign policies. On these backgrounds, this chapter looks into the evolution of the India–Maldives relations in the recent decades from a historical analysis of events that has seen many shades, particularly in the recent years.

This chapter draws heavily from T. C. Karthikheyan, ‘Strengthening India’s Strategic Depth in the Shallow Waters of Maldives’, Sarjana, Vol. 26, No. 2, December 2011, pp. 15–32.