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...
Ex-Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom is under siege again, now by his half-brother and current dictator. He has to be grateful to an Indian Naval officer for being alive.
Disenfranchisement by institutional fiat is profoundly undemocratic. The effect of the ECI's new documentary process in Bihar will tilt the scales in favour of the BJP.
Mini deal will likely see no cut in 10% baseline tariff on Indian exports announced by Trump on 2 April, it is learnt, but additional 26% tariffs are set to be reduced.
India-Russia JV is also racing to deliver 7,000 more AK-203 assault rifles by 15 Aug. These are currently being made with 50% indigenisation and this will surge to 100% by 31 December.
Public, loud, upfront, filled with impropriety and high praise sometimes laced with insults. This is what we call Trumplomacy. But the larger objective is the same: American supremacy.
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.