India and Maldives discuss peace, security

With China increasing its influence in the Indian Ocean region (IOR) and specifically in countries in the region like Maldives, India and Maldives on Tuesday discussed strategic perspectives for maintaining peace and security in the IOR, with Maldivian foreign minister Mohamed Asim briefed the Indian side of the recent developments in his country.

On his first official visit, Mr Asim during his meeting with his counterpart, Ms Sushma Swaraj, also communicated details of his country’s engagement with the UN and the Special Envoy of the Commonwealth ahead of the crucial meet of Commonwealth Minister-ial Action Group (CMAG) in New York in September, which is of special concern to the Maldives. The two ministers reaffirmed their resolve to continue strengthening the bilateral partnership between India and Maldives, with the visiting dignitary emphasising that his visit was in line with the “India first” policy of Maldives.

The scheduled CMAG meeting in September assumes significance given that the CMAG had expressed concern over the prevailing political situation in Maldives in its April meeting. India is also part of the group and is understood to have made efforts to “tone-down” the severity of the statement. However, the UK has already indicated that if the Group finds that “sufficient steps” for reform have not been taken by Maldives by September, it will “carefully consider appropriate bilateral action” to help support reform efforts there.