Kumar Rakesh
Bharat is rapidly developing in various fields worldwide, and while many countries, including America, are surprised by its progress, there are some who hold a grudge against it for no apparent reason. The countries closest to Bharat are particularly threatened by its rise. This could also explain why countries sharing borders or proximity with Bharat struggle to accept its global dominance in the twenty-first century and its advancements. It is similar to how we tend to notice all the flaws of a friend who is achieving great success.
But who is affected by it? This is a matter to consider. It is logical that the person who takes animosity for no reason will suffer more losses. Currently, a similar situation exists in terms of bilateral relations between Bharat and the Maldives. In which, just as in relationships, the Maldives appears to be causing the most harm itself.
Bharat keeps Maldives’ economy active through tourism
It is unfortunate that today’s Maldives, sitting in China’s lap, is incapable of understanding that the way China appears to treat it is an optical illusion. When the enchantment is broken and reality is faced, it will be found that the Maldives has lost many of its own! As is China’s behavior, and many other countries throughout the world have become victims. If Bharat is not responding concretely and taking strict action when constantly provoked by the Maldives, there could be a number of reasons. But Bharat is watching everything; if the Bharatiya, who have kept the Maldives’ economy moving through tourism, entirely abandons this island; it is possible that this country will not have enough money to sustain itself.
Blind confidence in China could cost the Maldives dearly
Then how long China will be concerned about this, will depend on the one in whose lap the ruling authority here is currently playing. Because history demonstrates that any country that grew dependent on China and naively believed China became starved and lonely. We have instances in front of us from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Kenya, Zimbabwe, and many more Arabian countries that trusted China but are now regretting it. Beijing makes decisions about Pakistan’s foreign policy. Sri Lanka has secured a mortgage on its Hambantota port. Myanmar is experiencing civil war. Many African and other countries face the same situation.
Despite Bharat’s cooperation, Maldives is showing an evil eye
Maldivian President Mohammed Muizzu has set March 15 as the deadline for Bharatiya troops to leave the Maldives, but Muizzu forgets that the Bharatiya Army keeps an eye on the entire sea route around it and as a result, pirates have not been able to establish their dominance here since then. In such a context, those doing business by water currently have several advantages that the Maldives wishes to eliminate, which the Bharatiya government would never be able to provide. It’s incredible to think that nations like the Maldives, with which Bharat has always been willing to collaborate, are now daring to look at it.
Bharat had granted financial help of 100 million dollars to Maldives
Since then, there have been numerous occasions when Bharat has stepped forward to assist the country and its residents in every manner feasible. Bharat has always helped in the form of health care, employment, and tourism, but it has only been two years since Bharat was the first to offer economic support to the Maldives when its financial situation deteriorated. In November 2022, Bharat granted it a $100 million aid package.
Bharat gave an extensive array of medical help during Corona
Even when there was a global uproar over the Coronavirus, Bharat was the first to offer all kinds of relief and medical assistance to the Maldives in order to save its life and make it more populous and rich. Previously, the Bharatiya Army sent a 14-member medical team to the Maldives to establish a virus diagnostic lab, and then donated 5.5 tonnes of vital pharmaceuticals to the Maldives. In January 2021, the Modi government sent one lakh doses of the Corona vaccination to the country. Two more packages of one lakh vaccines were dispatched to the Maldives in February and March, respectively.
Bharat supplied three lakh Covid vaccines to this little island country with a population of five lakh people, including a considerable number of youngsters, as part of Operation Sanjeevani to ensure their health and well-being. Bharat offers treatments such as sophisticated heart surgery and cancer care to the Maldives that are not offered locally. Bharat offers extremely affordable medical treatment. It is no surprise that the same Bharat that brought fresh life to the population of this country through trust, is looking at Bharat now!
30,000 doses of measles vaccination were shipped to the Maldives
During the Covid period, Bharat emerged as a savior for the entire world, but when the outbreak of measles escalated in January 2020 and there was an outcry in this country, Bharat was forced to rapidly halt the spread of this illness in the Maldives. Only after 30,000 doses of measles vaccine were delivered was it able to eradicate this illness from the country. Earlier this year, Bharat announced a financing package to assist the Maldives with the Greater Male Connectivity Project. The package comprised a Rs 100 million line of credit as well as a Rs 400 million fresh credit line.
Bharat also offered Maldives with eight ‘Line of Credit’ projects for $1.3 billion. When the Maldives desperately needed drinking water, Bharat was the only country where Sushma Swaraj and Foreign Secretary Jaishankar initiated Operation Neer and delivered 374 tons between September 5 and 7.
Bharat is always willing to assist its neighbours
It is worth noting that if Bharat had not started Operation Cactus in 1988, it is difficult to conceive what power would have existed over here. When intruders stormed the streets of Malé, the Maldives’ capital, on November 3, 1988, the government sought assistance from Bharat. Operation Cactus was launched overnight in response to the Maldives coup attempt. Similarly, if Bharat had refused to provide assistance during the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, this country would not be in front of us now; it is probable that it might not have been at all! However, as always, Bharat has stepped forward to assist its neighbours.
If Bharat turns away, Maldives’ very survival may be jeopardised
Today, Mohammad Muizzu’s leadership, which sits in the lap of China, may be unable to comprehend that Bharat has the biggest number of tourists, followed by Russia and China. Even if the Bharatiya government does not send a strong signal to the Maldives as part of its border strategy and foreign policy, Maldives is located in the Indian Ocean, where major trade routes cross, and it is aware of this. The Maldives is attempting to stress that China’s incursions will pose a direct threat to Bharat’s security.
But Maldives is unaware that if the Bharatiya totally abandons them and if Bharat completely withdraws its hand from providing them with assistance as previously, its very existence may be jeopardized. Currently, it appears that by being anti-Bharat, it is assaulting its own hands and feet, which is nothing short of a threat to its survival.
