The Indian government’s commitment to the “neighborhood first” policy has been reinforced by its recent actions. In a gesture of goodwill, India is planning to supply significant quantities of onions to Sri Lanka, following its previous support to the Maldives, despite the latter’s previous administration’s pro-China stance under Mohammed Muizzu.
Highlighting India’s close ties with its allies, on April 3, India permitted an additional 10,000 tons of onions to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), reaffirming the priority accorded to the Gulf country.
While India could have exerted pressure on Muizzu’s administration ahead of the crucial Majlis elections on April 21, it’s notable that India’s export notification to the Maldives exempted essential items from any export restrictions.
This signifies India’s commitment to providing essential commodities to the Maldives regardless of any export bans or restrictions that may arise in the future.
Muizzu’s efforts to secure funding from countries like Turkey, China, and the UAE have yielded little success, with no pledges of grants forthcoming. The Maldives’ relations with Saudi Arabia have also soured, partly due to Muizzu’s foreign policy decisions. Despite this, Muizzu has not yet visited India, having ridden to power on an anti-India platform.
India’s decision to export essential commodities to the Maldives is motivated by humanitarian concerns rather than political motives. It aims to reassure the Maldivian public of India’s steadfast support, irrespective of the island nation’s leadership.
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The Maldivian economy remains fragile, with Muizzu’s administration yet to revive infrastructure projects and facing significant debt obligations. India’s support extends to financial assistance, with the Maldives owing substantial sums to Indian institutions such as the State Bank of India.
Muizzu’s anti-India stance has impacted Indian tourism in the Maldives, with Indian tourist arrivals declining as Chinese tourism grows. Despite the stability of Muizzu’s government, the Modi administration is committed to mitigating the impact of his policies on the Maldivian public.
In summary, India’s assistance to its neighbors reflects a genuine commitment to regional cooperation and support, transcending political considerations for the greater welfare of the region’s people.
