US signs Defence Agreement with Maldives

India and the US are committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific that promotes the security and prosperity of all nations in the region. The increased presence of China in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is a cause of concern. In this context, the significance of this new agreement needs to be understood.

Content:

Provisions of the agreement:

• The United States and the Indian Ocean island of the Maldives have concluded a defense agreement.
• The “Framework for U.S. Department of Defense-Maldives Ministry of Defence and Security Relationship” signifies an “intent to deepen engagement and cooperation in support of maintaining peace and security in the Indian Ocean”.
• It marks an important step forward in the defense partnership.
• Framework agreement involves basic cooperation between the U.S. and Maldivian navies, and mandates that the two sides schedule their first Defence and Security Dialogue mechanism talks.

Importance of the agreement: 

• Both India and the U.S. have long watched the Maldives being drawn towards China with growing alarm recently due to China’s BRI initiative.
• It is significant that the Maldives has taken a strategic position, and signed this agreement with the U.S. and not with China.
• It is reiterated that India’s role as a “net security provider” in the Indian Ocean remains intact and is actually “complementary” to India’s plans for the Indo-Pacific.

• Under the present government of President Ibrahim Solih, ties between New Delhi and Male have been extremely close.
• There is a confidence that the pact with the U.S. would in no way harm India’s position in the islands.
• In 2019, the Maldives government had scrapped an agreement with China that had been signed by the previous government, to develop a “Joint Ocean Observation Station” on its western-most island of Makunudhoo.
• Now this move gives a boost to India’s idea of networked Indo-Pacific architecture.

Why is India supporting it?

• With the election of Ibrahim Mohamed Solih as president in September 2018, India-Maldives relations have grown considerably warmer, as the Maldives has reiterated its “India First policy” both in word and action. 
• Narendra Modi’s first visit after his 2nd time becoming PM was to the Maldives, where he inaugurated a coastal surveillance radar system designed to enhance India’s maritime domain awareness.
• India has long expressed discomfort with the idea of extra-regional powers meddling in its backyard.
• But this time, the US’ decision to deepen military ties with the Maldives was taken in consultation with India.
• New Delhi has considerably warmed up to partnering with others in the Indian Ocean, including powers like France.
• India’s stance is a result of China’s push into the Indian Ocean.