Strategic Significance of Maldives

Strategic Significance of Maldives

Maldives is group of islands present in Indian Ocean and officially called as Republic of Maldives.  Relationship between India and Maldives is very strong, India provides all types of assistance to Maldives, like economic, social, planning, military and health care. Now lets discuss that what is the significance of Maldives.

Geo-Strategic Significance of Maldives:

• First and the most important significance is its position in Indian Ocean. Maldives is situated at a very strategic location in Indian Ocean, from where nearly half of the world trade is done. It is situated in mid way between Strait of Malacca and Suez Canal, Which are world's busiest trade routes. Thousand of Cargoes pass through these two trade routes.
• Maldives is near to the emerging zone, Which is called "Indo Pacific Zone". These zone is going to be the most powerful zone in near future. This zone is a special focus of U.S., under its Pivot toward Asia policy.
• Maldives is on the junction from where it provides logistics supplies specially for the Navies of India, South East Asia, U.S.A. and China.
• Maldives is very much important for maritime security in Indian Ocean. Due to increasing cases of Piracy in Indian Ocean near Somalia and Strait of Malacca, position of Maldives becomes very important for establishing Naval bases for security in Indian Ocean.
• Maldives is an important component in three summits namely: Indian Ocean Rim Association Regional Cooperation, Galle Declaration between India, Srilanka and Maldives and Indian Ocean Symposium
• It is one of the important members of SAARC and SAFTA

Recent Developments between India and Maldives:

• Resignation of Mohd Nasheed, who was the president backed by India. The new regime of President Waheed is pro China. Which can be a threat of India-Maldives relationships
• Recent breach of the contract between Indian giant GMR infrastructure and Govt. of Maldives for developing Male airport.
• Military cooperation by the name of EKUVERIN 
• Galle Declaration