In a significant geopolitical move, the Maldives has made headlines by signing a military pact with China, marking a shift in its military allegiance. This decision comes in the wake of President Mohamed Muizzu's persistent calls for the removal of Indian troops, a campaign promise that has now evolved into an official pledge by the leader.
The bilateral discussions that led to this pact were held between Maldivian Minister of Defence Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon and Major General Zhang Baoqun, Deputy Director at China's Office for International Military Cooperation. This move follows the recent arrival of a technical team from India in the Maldives, aimed at replacing troops that President Muizzu has been advocating for removal.
The Maldivian Defence Ministry made the announcement of the military pact, stating that Minister Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon and Major General Zhang Baoqun signed an agreement regarding "China's provision of military assistance gratis to the Republic of Maldives, fostering stronger bilateral ties." The two sides engaged in bilateral talks on military cooperation during this meeting.
However, the details of the agreement were not disclosed in the Ministry's social media post. This development aligns with the agreement reached earlier this year during President Muizzu's state visit to China, where both countries decided to "elevate" their relations to a "comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership."
Interestingly, this military pact coincides with New Delhi's apparent compromise with Male, as India agrees to withdraw its troops stationed in the Maldives. Instead, these troops will be replaced by a technical team tasked with operating aircraft gifted by India. The decision to withdraw Indian troops was made following bilateral discussions between a high-level core group, leading to a consensus that these troops would leave the Indian Ocean archipelago by May 10, 2024, in phased steps.
Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's recent comments at an event in New Delhi have added a layer of complexity to the situation. Jaishankar stated, "big bullies don't provide USD 4.5 billion in aid when the neighbours are in trouble," referring to Indian assistance to Sri Lanka during its crisis in 2022. This statement has garnered wide attention in the Maldives, with local media interpreting it as a "swipe" at President Muizzu. This interpretation links Jaishankar's remarks to Muizzu's comments made to local media soon after his return from China in January, where he emphasized that while the Maldives may be small, it doesn't give others the license to bully the country.
As these diplomatic dynamics unfold, the strategic realignment of the Maldives in the international arena is becoming increasingly complex, with implications for regional geopolitics.