Maldives- China Military pact

Maldives recently signed an agreement with China to receive free ‘non-lethal’ military equipment and training.

Background and Key Reasons of the Military Pact:

• Maldivessigned an agreement of military assistance with China signaling a Pro-China shift.
• The Maldivian Defense Ministry stated that the deal was ‘gratis’ (given for free) and it would foster stronger Bilateral ties with China.
• It would provide free “non-lethal” military equipment and training to strengthen the Maldives’ independence and autonomy.
• It would reassert the lost national sovereignty, based on the India Out Campaign.
• Maldives asked for the complete withdrawal of Indian military personnel, changing the India-Maldives relations.
• There are 77 Indian soldiers and 12 medical personnel from the Indian armed forces in Maldives.
• India has also given Maldives two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft for marine surveillance, search and rescue operations and medical evacuations.
• The new deal with China marks a significant shift in Maldives’ foreign policy from a pro-India predecessor.
• China expanded its footprint in Maldives, most visibly through large-scale infrastructure projects such as the $200 million China-Maldives Friendship Bridge.
• The two countries signed 20 agreements including cooperation on infrastructure, trade, economy, green development, grants, and other development projects.
• That includes about $127 million in aid to develop roads in the capital Male and build 30,000 social housing units.
• Maldives aims to fortify its military capabilities and defense force through round-the-clock surveillance capabilities over its 900,000 square kilometer Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
• China is committed to working with the Maldives to build a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.
• Diplomatic relations between China and the Maldives were established in 1972, and booth nations established an embassy since more than a decade.

Implications of the Pact:

• China’s growing military and economic influence in the region, could counter the security gap left by India’s departure.
• This could involve increased Chinese investment in the Maldives, a major tourist destination, and potentially closer military ties.
• China could expand its regional significance and alter India’s traditional dominance in the Indian Ocean.
• But Maldives has long found itself in the middle of a geopolitical tussle with both India and China vying for influence.
• Chinese presence in Maldives could affect Indian security, given the island chain’s proximity to India’s western coast.