Maldives President Ibrahim Solih’s choice of India as his first foreign visit, after taking office earlier this year, is significant. It shows a clear recalibration on the part of the Indian Ocean nation, which under previous president Abdulla Yameen was deemed to be moving towards the China camp. But Solih’s surprise victory over Yameen in September polls appears to have arrested that perception. Since then, Male has been trying to reconstitute the balance in its relationships with New Delhi and Beijing.

To be frank, India has caught a big break with the Maldives. Few had expected strongman Yameen to lose the September polls, especially after his crackdown on the opposition. Now that things are back on an even keel vis-a-vis China’s influence on the Maldives, New Delhi should be careful not to reverse this advantageous situation.

In this respect, a repeat of Nepal should be avoided at all costs. Perceived undue interference in Nepal’s internal affairs by India had turned the Nepali people’s mood against New Delhi, especially after the 2015-16 blockade. India is suffering the consequences of those missteps even today, with the current leftist government in Nepal being more amenable to China compared to previous Nepali administrations. Thus, India needs to learn its lessons and handle the Maldives more tactfully

The Maldives is strategically important given its geographical location in the Indian Ocean. India must deploy a lighter diplomatic touch that focuses on enhancing natural affinities, to deal with this important nation in its neighborhood.

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Courtesy: Times of India: 18th Dec, 2018