Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu’s demand that India withdraw its troops stationed in the country by mid-March is the newest in the anti-India rhetoric in the island nation that has started over the last few years. The number of troops — 88 — is too few to be a threat, which is what their presence is being portrayed as.

The troops have been stationed in Maldives since 2010 as part of a bilateral ties that involve training of Maldivian troops in combat and reconnaissance. They also provide help with humanitarian aid and medical evacuations for the residents of the remote islands.

Domestic politics of Maldives

President Muizzu is widely seen as a pro-China leader, a departure from his predecessors who pursued a pro-India policy. One of the key slogans for his campaign was “India Out’. The coalition government of the People’s National Congress & the Progressive Party of Maldives party is currently following the pro-China policy to remove what they call the Indian influence.

Ahead of the Presidential election held in Maldives at the end of September, supporters of the People’s National Congress of President Muizzu had pushed a narrative that the Ibrahim Mohamed Solih-led Maldivian Democratic Party was influenced by India.

The formal demand for troop removal was first made around two months ago — shortly after the Muizzu government came to power in September, riding on an anti-India agenda.

Anti-India build-up

India’s gift of two military Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters helicopters to Maldives for rescue ops have been portrayed as creation of military presence.

An agreement for the UTF Harbour Project agreement, signed in February 2021 — under which India was to develop and maintain a harbour and dockyard at Uthuru Thilafalhu near Maldives capital Malé — has been a subject of intense speculation. A section of local media claimed that the project would eventually lead to the building of an Indian naval base there.

Fuelled by social media, a diplomatic row with India started as Maldivian ministers made derogatory comments following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s widely circulated post about his visit to the Lakshadweep islands. Three ministers who made harsh comments, were, however, removed.

China factor

President Muizzu’s demand for the removal of Indian troops was also made days after his visit to China, when the two nations upgraded their relationship to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

China is interested in expanding its influence in Maldives owing to its strategic position in the Indian Ocean. The islands are located on the one of the busiest maritime trade highways through which nearly 80 per cent of China’s oil imports pass.

Maldives and China have signed 20 important agreements during President Muizzu’s visit. China has given Male an aid of 130 million dollars which will be spent on the development projects.

Should India be concerned

The foreign ministry is yet to comment on Male’s demand for troop withdrawal.

Former foreign minister Shashi Tharoor has warned about the increasing proximity between China and Maldives.

“There is no doubt about the fact that China has been attempting to expand its influence throughout our periphery. They have been increasingly influential in everyone of our neighbouring countries, everyone, without exception,” he said.

Senior leaders of the Uttar Pradesh Congress made a beeline for Ayodhya on Makar Sankranti today, notwithstanding their Central leaders’ refusal to attend the Ram temple consecration ceremony, or the party line that the BJP and its ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh are using the event to gain political milage ahead of the Lok Sabha election. When asked, they indicated that it was a personal visit. “Lord Ram belongs to everyone,” was the refrain.

Leaders of the UP Congress have already declared that they would attend the consecration event. Today, they took a dip in Saryu river, had the Darshan of Ram Lalla and went to Hanumangarhi.

Asked if their action was not a deviation from the party line, UP leader Avinash Pande said party chief Mallikarjun Kharge has openly said that “those who have faith can go”.

“We have not invited anyone to attend, nor are we stopping anyone from attending,” he quoted Mr Kharge as saying.

The Congress is against the way this event is being politicised and used to create rift in society, he added.   

Rajya Sabha MP and Haryana Congress leader Deepender Singh Hooda, who was among the UP contingent that included state Congress chief Ajai Rai and senior leader Avdesh Pratap Singh, insisted that he was a regular visitor.

“I came last year too. Today on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti, I have to gaze upon Ram Lalla and seek his blessings. This is how I recharge,” he said.

Asked about the party line, he refused to take any “political question”. “Ram does not belong to any particular person. He belongs to everyone,” he added.

Last week, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury declined the invite for January 22 temple consecration.

“Religion is a personal matter. But the RSS/BJP have long made a political project of the temple in Ayodhya. The inauguration of the incomplete temple by the leaders of the BJP and the RSS has been obviously brought forward for electoral gain,” read a statement from senior party leader Jairam Ramesh.

As the BJP erupted in vociferous condemnation, Mr Kharge said it was not the party’s intention to hurt anyone’s religious sentiments.

“Our issue is this – what work is the PM doing to ensure jobs for the public? What steps is he taking to control inflation? What is he doing for poor people… People having faith can go (to the temple) today… they can go tomorrow also,” he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and more than 6,000 people are expected to attend the mega event of January 22 – the consecration of the Ram temple.

The BJP has alleged that the Congress leaders who declined the January 22 invite have “lost their minds” as Ravana did in “Treta Yug”. For this, they will be punished by the people, the party leaders have insisted.

The press conference for the 69th Hyundai Filmfare Awards 2024 with Gujarat Tourism was held today. Among the celebrity guests at the event were Karan Johar, Janhvi Kapoor and Varun Dhawan.