India, Maldives continue reset, revive defence cooperation

Amid ongoing recalibration in their bilateral relations, India and the Maldives, the strategically-located Indian Ocean atoll nation, have held a crucial dialogue in New Delhi to reinvigorate their defence cooperation.

The 5th Defence Cooperation Dialogue between India and the Maldives, held on September 6, 2024, in New Delhi took place barely a month after External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to Male that initiated the process of resetting troubled ties. The talks, led by Indian Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane and Maldivian Chief of Defence Force General Ibrahim Hilmy, focused on rebuilding trust and enhancing cooperation through various defence projects and joint military exercises.

Rebuilding Trust

The India-Maldives relations suffered severe strain after the election of Maldives’ pro-China President Mohamed Muizzu in November 2023. His “India Out” campaign led to the withdrawal of Indian military personnel earlier this year. Maldives’ President Muizzu pressured India to pull out its military personnel, a move widely seen as part of his administration’s efforts to recalibrate the country’s foreign policy towards China. India agreed to withdraw around 80 military personnel, including those operating key assets such as the Dornier-228 maritime aircraft and Dhruv helicopters, between March and May 2024.

However, diplomatic efforts to mend ties began shortly after. Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer visited India in May 2024, followed by President Muizzu’s attendance at Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony in June. The thaw in relations was further cemented when Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited Male in August, where he reiterated Maldives’ importance in India’s ‘Neighborhood First’ policy and the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision. During his visit, Jaishankar assured the Maldives’ leadership that India views the nation as a key partner in maintaining peace and stability in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The defence dialogue built on this diplomatic momentum, taking concrete steps to advance bilateral cooperation.

In an official statement, the Indian Ministry of Defence described the 5th Defence Cooperation Dialogue between India and the Maldives as “productive,” with both sides reaffirming their commitment to advancing mutual interests. Discussions focused on high-level military exchanges, capability development, and future joint military exercises. These dialogues are seen as a vital step toward enhancing interoperability between the Indian Armed Forces and the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), especially in areas such as maritime security, counterterrorism, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR).

Indian Ocean

The defence dialogue focused mostly on maritime security and the strengthening of the Maldivian Coast Guard’s capabilities. India has long supported the Maldives through military assistance programmes, gifting a Dornier-228 maritime aircraft in 2020 and a patrol vessel in 2019. The focus on maritime security reflects mutual recognition of the growing geopolitical challenges in the Indian Ocean Region, where piracy, terrorism, and natural disasters pose significant risks to regional stability.

India has also been actively involved in infrastructure projects aimed at bolstering the Maldives’ defence capabilities. In 2022, India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his then-counterpart, Mariya Didi, laid the foundation stone for the Coast Guard Harbour ‘Ekatha’ in Uthuru Thila Falhu (UTF) atoll, one of the largest Indian grant-in-aid projects in the Maldives. The facility is designed to enhance the operational readiness of the Maldivian Coast Guard and support regional humanitarian and disaster relief efforts.

The emphasis on joint military exercises was another key outcome of the September 6 dialogue. These exercises are critical for maintaining interoperability between the Indian and Maldivian forces, particularly in maritime security operations. Strengthening cooperation in these areas is seen as crucial for ensuring long-term stability in the IOR.

General Ibrahim Hilmy highlighted the importance of the talks: “The dialogue has reaffirmed our commitment to strengthening our defence partnership with India. It is in our mutual interest to ensure stability and security in the region, and we look forward to further collaboration.”

As both nations move forward, the successful implementation of the agreed-upon projects and military exercises will be crucial in shaping the future of regional security. Given the geopolitical significance of the Maldives’ location, strong defence cooperation with India will play a pivotal role in maintaining peace and stability in the Indian Ocean Region. The talks represent a significant step towards rebuilding trust and advancing mutual interests in one of the world’s most strategically important maritime areas.

(Kartike Garg contributed inputs for this article)

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