India’s move reflects its frustration with President Yameen who, while inching closer to China, is demolishing New Delhi’s presence in Maldives.
New Delhi: As the relationship...
India can’t forget that Nasheed first opened the gate for China. New Delhi musn't repeat the mistake of 2013, when it rushed in to legitimise Abdulla Yameen
A state of Emergency has been declared in the Maldives, after the government arrested the leader of opposition and two Supreme Court judges on Monday. India has supported the opposition leaders.
India closely monitoring situation, especially the safety of its citizens. Contingency plans in place for intervention; deployment possible at short notice.
Despite growing passenger volume, 11 out of 14 carriers reported losses in 2023-24. IndiGo recorded profit of Rs 8,167 crore, which reduced to Rs 7.253 crore in 2024-25.
Of the total package, $649 million will be utilised for additional hardware, software, and support services, and the remaining for Major Defence Equipment (MDE).
None of Pakistan’s PMs has lasted 5 years. That the current PM has given Asim Munir 5 years shows that of all military dictatorships history has seen, Pakistan’s is most creative.
The Chinese strategy has been the strategy of a Mafia syndicate or underworld Don – it bribes, threatens and coerces key players and eliminates problematic people. It funds the elections of corrupt leaders and use resentments and individual greed and ambitions to further its own interests. India is meanwhile caught in a constricted policy of appealing to the “better angels” of Maldivian corrupt politicians and hoping they act in the larger interests of their nation, rather than themselves. This naturally leaves little incentive for Maldivian leaders to respond .
India’s failure to “play the same game” as the Chinese has led to disastrous consequences in the entire neighborhood – Chinese intelligence and Diplomatic Corps are flashing money, granting kickbacks and strong arming those who don’t play ball. The choice for a Maldivian politician is either to take Chinese bribes and crush his opponents or refuse and be the victim as the Chinese will fund his competitors. The fact that the Maldivian politicians and Islamists are jumping at the chance is hardly surprising.
In this “mafia diplomacy” of the Chinese – India needs to respond in kind, the stale diplomatic game of demarches and negotiations will lead no where. India needs to fund RAW adequately , along with giving the green light to Indian corporate to adequately build networks in Maldives and in the region to counter the Chinese spending spree or at least mitigate its advantages.
To Mazo. First time seeing this as mafia tactics. Excellent analysis and clear articulation.
Think of the election result from Bhutan as part of this unfolding power play. The asymmetry between the two countries is a fact of life. However, better diplomacy, capitalising on old relationships and traditional ties could have prevented what is happening in South Asia.
The Chinese strategy has been the strategy of a Mafia syndicate or underworld Don – it bribes, threatens and coerces key players and eliminates problematic people. It funds the elections of corrupt leaders and use resentments and individual greed and ambitions to further its own interests. India is meanwhile caught in a constricted policy of appealing to the “better angels” of Maldivian corrupt politicians and hoping they act in the larger interests of their nation, rather than themselves. This naturally leaves little incentive for Maldivian leaders to respond .
India’s failure to “play the same game” as the Chinese has led to disastrous consequences in the entire neighborhood – Chinese intelligence and Diplomatic Corps are flashing money, granting kickbacks and strong arming those who don’t play ball. The choice for a Maldivian politician is either to take Chinese bribes and crush his opponents or refuse and be the victim as the Chinese will fund his competitors. The fact that the Maldivian politicians and Islamists are jumping at the chance is hardly surprising.
In this “mafia diplomacy” of the Chinese – India needs to respond in kind, the stale diplomatic game of demarches and negotiations will lead no where. India needs to fund RAW adequately , along with giving the green light to Indian corporate to adequately build networks in Maldives and in the region to counter the Chinese spending spree or at least mitigate its advantages.
To Mazo. First time seeing this as mafia tactics. Excellent analysis and clear articulation.
Think of the election result from Bhutan as part of this unfolding power play. The asymmetry between the two countries is a fact of life. However, better diplomacy, capitalising on old relationships and traditional ties could have prevented what is happening in South Asia.