No one would have ever thought that colour of a snorkeling jacket can trigger a twitter war between two friendly Indian ocean neighbors. India Maldives twitter war sows seeds of discord, it benefits none but only China. China that provokes Maldives like Pakistanis to fight for its Islamic identity while at the same time its repression of Uigher muslims in Xinjiang is well known.
Shailesh Kumar, National Defence
New Delhi, 09 January 2024
In short term, Maldives gains by giving space to China, while in long run India looses and China wins, if Maldives goes out of its sphere of influence in Indian ocean.
If Maldives gives in to China as it seems to have, it will loose its identity and surrender its freedom as shylock China’s debt diplomacy has subsumed many nations as witnessed in recent past. The recent twitter row between India and Maldives that led to suspension of three Maldivians ministers following a diplomatic row.
It all started after prime minister Narendra Modi posted a video and pictures on his social media twitter now known as X handle. While, the pictures and video by Indian Prime Narendra Modi ideally should not have drawn a reaction from Maldivian ministers as nowhere in audio visuals or pictures, Maldives was mentioned.
But seems it was the colour of the snorkeling jacket that exposed the hidden communal hatred in the mind of Mariyam Shiuna and wrote derogatory and unparliamentary word against PM Modi, who is passionately loved and followed by millions of Indians.
The tweet, which was deleted hours after the controversy, laced with communal hatred called PM Modi a “Clown” and “Puppet of Israel” over his visit to Lakshadweep, India’s smallest union territory island. Mariyam Shiuna now removed from his cabinet position held deputy portfolio for ministry of youth empowerment, information and art. She is also the spokeperson of Male city council.
Recently, I had the opportunity to be among the people of Lakshadweep. I am still in awe of the stunning beauty of its islands and the incredible warmth of its people. I had the opportunity to interact with people in Agatti, Bangaram and Kavaratti. I thank the people of the… pic.twitter.com/tYW5Cvgi8N
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 4, 2024
It was former Maldives president, Mohd Naseed who wrote on his twitter handle and I quote, “What appalling language by Maldives Government official mariyam Shiuna towards the leader of a key ally, that is instrumental for Maldives’ security and prosperity. Dr Mohamed Muizzu government must distance itself from these comments and give clear assurance to India they do not reflect gov policy”.
India has summoned the Maldivian ambassador and raised issued a stern warning for such derogatory remarks. Mariyam Shiuna, a close aid of Mohd Muizzu and two others tweet draw a backlash from Indians with repudiation also unsubstantiated and unconfirmed cancellation of hotel bookings and flight cancellation by Indians who wanted to visit Maldives. Maldives’ economy is largely based on tourism. Mohamed Muizzu, president of the Maldives since 17 November 2023 is considered pro- China as he gave “India Out” call during his election campaign. After assuming the change of President of Maldives, Muizzu reiterated his India out policy even in bilateral meetings and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to call back Indian troops from Maldivian soil.
What can be more satisfying than the fruits of development reaching people of all sections of society. Have a look at this interaction from Lakshadweep yesterday… pic.twitter.com/VYOxee5pCQ
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 4, 2024
Maldives recent decision to terminate an agreement with India for joint hydrographic survey has been the subject of some controversy in the Indian media signed during prime minister Narendra modi’s visit to the island in 2019. The pact was seen as a symbol of India Maldives defense ties.
Male’s move came a few weeks after the Island state formally asked New Delhi to withdraw its Indian military presence from its shores as if to emphasize its reservation about defense engagement with India Male also escaped the latest meeting of the Columbo Security conclave in December 2023.
President Muizzu visited Turkey last month breaking a long tradition of Maldivian president visiting New Delhi first a less than subtle signal that India ranks low in the new administration’s foreign policy priorities.
Addressing journalist on his return from his first visit to Turkey and United Arab Emirate where he gone to take part in COP28 conference Muizzu said that the Prime Minister Modi reacted favourably to his suggestion for New Delhi to take back 77 military personnel including two technicians who were operating three aerial platforms including two helicopters and one Dornier fixed Wing aircraft that were gifted for emergency evacuation and aerial surveillance of the Male’s ocean territory for drug smuggling and other criminal activities. Muizzu sometimes called India out sometime India military out did not ask India to take back the Choppers.
This is unlike the original demand of his estrange political mentor and jailed former president Abdullah Yamin who was later released. While in prison, ahead of 2018 presidential polls that he lost and had begin by asking India to call back the pilots and technicians along with the platforms while Male’s government and Military itself recognize the contribution of the military personnel in emergency and medical evacuation against drug paddlers.
It is hard to understand how Maldives would run these platforms the whole narrative is actually set to accommodate the Chinese interests since 2008 China is pushing Commerce and policies for Maldives to fall in its fold that eventually LED Maldives to join Xi Jinping’s dream project Maritime silk route in Indian Ocean which is part of a larger Europe Asia and Africa transnational Belt & Road Initiative (BRI).
President Muizzu said, “The fact that I’m here in China on my first state visit is testament to the commitment of his Excellency president Xi Jinping and the people of China to the Maldives. We have no doubt that China will be our closest partner in development. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the leadership of the Fujian provincial people’s government and officials of fujian for co-hosting this forum and for the excellent Arrangements in making such a gathering possible the fact that the first international business event that my government taking over is taking place in China reflects our long standing and fruitful G2G and B2B cooperation”.
“I’m delighted to witness the strong presence of both Chinese and Maldivian business here today this shows that the close political ties that both our countries enjoy are replicated at the commercial level as well the relationship between Maldives and China is one that has a long history dating back to the ancient maritimes world. Having established diplomatic relationships in 1972, China remains one of our closest allies and development partner male became an early party to his Excellency President Xi Jinping’s belt and Rod initiative in 2014 which has delivered the most significant infrastructure projects witnessed in the Maldivian history.
The new vision for our Central airport that I launched just few days before I arrived here and the commercial Port project are key strategic initiatives of my government that are in alignment with the BRIvision of Land, Ocean, Air and digital connectivity. The government is keen for exploring and taking partnership for these projects under the framework of belt and road initiative”, President Muizzu added.
China inaugurated its Embassy in Malay in 2011 during political turmoil in 2012. President Muhammad Nashid had to step down. Beijing’s commercial policies helped Abdullah Yamin Abdullah Gayoom take center stage and got elected as president of Maldives. China, which consider Maldives as important string of pearls destination to counter its Malaccan Dilemma, a choke point for PRC in Indian Ocean in case of a conflict.
China has already established its first overseas base Djibouti in 2017. Now Maldives is at another end in Beijing’s counter policy. Yamin committed to Beiking in 2014 and signed a free trade agreement with China in 2017 to export maldivian fish to China. The agreement after years failed to be ratified and experts questioning the rationale behind such an agreement between a $5 billion and staggering $17 trillion economies while Chinese state-owned Enterprises started to boo Maldives with the beginning of the infrastructure project projects like China- Male friendship Bridge.
H.E. President Dr @MMuizzu and H.E. First Lady Sajidha Mohamed have arrived in Xiamen, in China’s Fujian province, today on a state visit to China. This visit is at the invitation of the President of China, H.E. Xi Jinping. pic.twitter.com/b4VwRXec3Y
— The President’s Office (@presidencymv) January 8, 2024
It is important to see how president Muizzu’s first state visit to China will unfold climax of male falling into Chinese debt trap through its debt diplomacy. According to Chinese government mouthpiece Global Times, President Muizzu is on a state visit to China from January 8th to 12th.
On day one President Muizzu and the first lady Sajida Muhammad visited the Xiamen Free Trade Zone in East China’s Fujian Province. During the visit President Muizzu and Chinese President Xi Jinping will hold a welcome ceremony and banquet for president Muizzu. The two heads of state will hold talks and attend the signing ceremony of cooperation documents between Chinese President & Muizzu.
According to the Chinese foreign Ministry, the cooperation documents are on infrastructure construction under the belt and Road initiative, economy, climate change, green economy and tourism.
H.E. President Dr @MMuizzu and H.E. First Lady Sajidha Mohamed visited the Xiamen Free Trade Zone, in Fujian Province of China. pic.twitter.com/eNoXWzTn7l
— The President’s Office (@presidencymv) January 8, 2024
China and the Maldives will explore further potential of bilateral Free Trade Agreement. China is showcasing Xiamen’s development pattern for cities of the Maldives to attract tourists highlighting Xiamen is a famous Chinese tourist spot.
The dichotomy of Chinese cooperation is that it woos Maldives by projecting it as a famous tourist spot while pitching Maldives as a destination for Chinese tourists.
The President and First Lady visit the Xiamen Free Trade Zone https://t.co/lIevWPZGZq pic.twitter.com/sjlvVP0zoq
— The President’s Office (@presidencymv) January 8, 2024
President Muizzu will also attend the invest Maldives Forum in Fuzhou, the capital of Fujian Province, a significant gateway to Maritime Silk Road of China. He will meet senior Chinese Business Leaders to explore avenues for stand in socio-economic relations between the Maldives and China.
Muizzu a strong supporter of Chinese BRI has overseen BRI projects that let him come close to China in past the expansion of upgrading of Velana International Airport in the capital city of Male and the China.
Maldives friendship Bridge- the first cross Sea Bridge in the Maldives built by a Chinese company would now see furtherance of other BRI projects.
Secretary of Fujian Provincial Party Committee, and Governor of Fujian Province meet with President Dr Muizzu https://t.co/3Hip0PvTeQ pic.twitter.com/JAWO7QV1hN
— The President’s Office (@presidencymv) January 8, 2024
According to Global times President Muizzu is actively promoting pragmatic cooperation as he has fully acknowledged the importance of cooperation with China and his diplomacy is out of Male’s true interests not to choose sides.
Global times literally spit venom against India. “long also noted that China respects the maldive sanity and does not interfere in its domestic affairs unlike India. China does not exclude other countries cooperation with Maldives on the contrary China encourages and welcomes more countries including India to engage in collaboration with Male”
Proximities of president Muizzu to the Chinese government is deeply rooted in corruption this was clearly visible when Muizzu the very next day of his winning the Maldives election requested president Muhammad so to release his predecessor Muhammad Abdullah Yamin who was sentenced 11 years jail term in bribery and money laundering case related to Vaavu atoll Aarah projects.
Yamin was accused of using his influence to transfer Vaavu atoll Aarah under tourism Ministry from the jurisdiction of Ministry of fisheries and agriculture. Abdullah Yamin & other Chinese was convicted by court for taking $1 million bribe.
Abdullah Yamin was the President of Maldives between November 2013 to November 2018 China’s Guangdong Beta Ocean and Maldivian Company were awarded aavu Atoll Kunaavashi to develop a five star luxury resort with some 142 rooms.
The Maldivian tourism Ministry in May 2014 also signed an MoU with the state owned China Machinery Engineering Corporation CMEC to develop the atoll Kalhufahalafushi as a resort.
President Abdullah Yamin visited China in August 2014 and secured a 16 million grant aid from China which is expected to cover the cost partly of the This sum is expected to cover costs partly for the Malé-Hulhule Bridge and other projects.
China also provided emergency aid of $500,000 in December 2014 when Male’s desalination treatment plant suffered a fire leaving some 1 lakh people without access to Safe Drinking Water. China sent nearly 700 tons of fresh water.
China sent water bottles on commercial airliners including 32.5 tons of water from Mega Maldives and China Southern Airlines and 5 tons of water bottles from Emirates (following urgent contact on the part of CMEC, a Chinese machinery company) to the Maldives. In addition, China had the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Changxingdao warship deliver 600 tons of drinking water to Male Port.
Changxingdao warship could produce over 70 tons of desalted water every day. Then the PLAAF sent two planes to deliver 40 tons of water to Male International Airport. The project is linked to project 38403 to speed up repairs in a desalination plant and restore water to the capital following the fire incident.
Despite conviction former president Abdullah Yamin and his half brother and former dictator are now free and pursuing active politics in Maldives. It is China’s tactics to bribe officials and cover the footprints while having enough evidence and proof of bribery at its disposal to Blackmail the people it bribed earlier.
All this arm twisting tactics is for its advantage which makes the bribed person scapegoat at its will in order to pursue its geopolitical aim. So attacking prime minister Narendra Modi for visiting lakshdweep is a larger geopolitical game plan of China, Pakistan and Maldive’s Government.
For update on President Mohammad Muizzu’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Click here!
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