The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 11th October 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

The U.K. and ‘leaving lessons’ from the Indian Ocean

Why in News?

Recently, the United Kingdom (UK) agreed to cede sovereignty of the strategically important Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius. 

• However, the UK will continue to exercise sovereign rights over Diego Garcia island.

What are the Key Facts Regarding the Chagos Archipelago? 

• Geography of the Chagos Archipelago: This area includes 58 islands and is situated about 500 km south of the Maldives in the Indian Ocean.
• History of the Chagos Archipelago: The French were the first to colonize Mauritius and the Chagos Islands in 1715.
• In the late 18th century, the French brought in slave labor from Africa and India to work on new coconut plantations.
• However, the UK took control of the region in 1814 after the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte.
• In 1965, the UK established the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), which included the Chagos Islands.
• Mauritius’ Claims Over Chagos: Chagos was administratively linked to Mauritius, another British colony in the Indian Ocean.
• When Mauritius gained independence in 1968, Chagos remained with Britain, which provided Mauritius with a £3 million grant for the separation.
• Strategic Importance of Chagos and Diego Garcia: In 1966, Britain made an agreement with the United States to use the BIOT for military purposes.
• Following this, the coconut plantation on Diego Garcia was closed, and it became illegal for anyone to enter or stay in Diego Garcia without a permit.
• Diego Garcia, the largest island in the archipelago, turned into a fully operational military base in 1986.
• This location played a critical role in the US's overseas operations during the “war on terror” after the September 11 attacks in 2001.
• International Pressure on the UK: In 2019, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an advisory opinion urging the UK to withdraw its colonial administration from the area within six months.
• The ICJ declared that the 1965 detachment of Chagos from Mauritius before its independence was illegal.

What are the Key Details of the UK-Mauritius Agreement? 

• Sovereignty Over Chagos: The agreement provides Mauritius with complete control over the Chagos Islands, with the exception of Diego Garcia.
• Resettlement of Chagossians: Mauritius is now allowed to bring back its people to live on the Chagos Islands, except for Diego Garcia, where around 2,000 residents were removed for a US military base.
• Trust Fund: The United Kingdom has committed to establishing a new trust fund aimed at supporting the people of Chagos.

First responder 

Why in News?

Recently, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu paid a four-day state visit to India and called New Delhi a valued partner. 

• The visit is significant as President Mohamed Muizzu earlier focused on capitalising on anti-India sentiments and his ministers' derogatory remarks against the Indian Prime Minister. 

What are the Key Outcomes of the Visit? 

• Strengthening Bilateral Ties: India has confirmed its support for the Maldives through its Neighbourhood First policy and the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision.
• Emergency Financial Assistance: India has provided Treasury bills (T-bills) worth USD 100 million to help the Maldives meet its urgent financial needs.
• Additionally, India has extended a USD 400 million and Rs 30 billion bilateral currency swap agreement to further assist the Maldives in managing its financial challenges.
• Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership: Both nations have agreed to enhance their relationship into a Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership.
• This partnership will focus on being people-centered, forward-thinking, and a foundation for stability in the Indian Ocean Region.
• Development Cooperation: India and the Maldives will focus on completing the Greater Male Connectivity Project (GMCP) on time and will conduct a feasibility study for connecting the islands of Thilafushi and Giraavaru.
• Both countries will work together to develop a commercial port at Thilafushi, increase transshipment and bunkering services, and maximize the potential of airports such as Hanimaadhoo and Gan.
• Trade and Economic Cooperation: The two sides have agreed to start discussions on a bilateral free trade agreement, local currency trade settlement, investment promotion, economic diversification, and boosting tourism.
• Digital and Financial Cooperation: Both countries will collaborate on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) initiatives, including launching India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI), Unique Digital Identity, and the Gati Shakti Scheme to improve e-governance and services delivery.
• India has introduced the RuPay card in the Maldives to make payments easier for Indian tourists visiting the country.
• Energy Cooperation: Both nations will work on renewable energy and energy efficiency projects to help the Maldives achieve its climate goals.
• India will support the Maldives in taking part in the One Sun One World One Grid initiative, a global solar energy project.
• Health Cooperation: Jan Aushadhi Kendras will be established throughout the Maldives to provide affordable generic medicines from India.
• Both countries will work together on mental health services, drug addiction treatment, and improving emergency medical evacuation capabilities.
• Defence and Security Cooperation: Both sides recognized the need to complete the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) 'Ekatha' harbour project at Uthuru Thila Falhu (UTF), funded by India, which will strengthen MNDF's operational abilities.
• Food Security: Both countries have agreed to collaborate on establishing an Agriculture Economic Zone and tourism investments in Haa Dhaalu atoll, as well as a fish processing and canning facility in Haa Alifu atoll with Indian support.
• Capacity Building and Training: A Start-up Incubator-Accelerator will be set up in the Maldives to encourage youth innovation and entrepreneurship.
• People-to-People Linkages: Both nations decided to set up consulates in Bengaluru (India) and Addu City (Maldives) to enhance interactions between their people.
• Plans will be made to establish higher education institutions, skill centers, and an Indian Council for Cultural Relations Chair at the Maldives National University.
• Regional and Multilateral Cooperation: India and the Maldives reaffirmed their commitment to working closely in regional and international platforms, especially in the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC).
• Political Exchanges: Both agreed to formalize cooperation between their parliaments, recognizing shared democratic values as a foundation for their bilateral relations.
• Establishment of High-Level Core Group: A new High-Level Core Group will be formed to ensure effective and timely implementation of the cooperation framework.

Why Maldivian President Soften his Anti-india stance? 

• Economic Crisis in the Maldives: The Maldives is experiencing a serious economic crisis, with its foreign exchange reserves falling to only USD 440 million, which is enough to cover just 1.5 months of imports.
• There is also a risk of debt default, as indicated by Moody's, which has dropped the country’s credit rating.
• Economic Dependence: The Maldives relies heavily on Indian tourists for its important tourism sector.
• Indian visitors are among the top contributors to the Maldives' tourism income, and a decrease in Indian tourists due to strained relations has resulted in an estimated loss of USD 150 million.
• India is the fifth-largest trading partner of the Maldives, supplying crucial items like food, medicine, and construction materials.
• Strategic Importance of India: Historically, India has played a significant role in the Maldives' development and security.
• Distancing from India could threaten the Maldives' regional stability and security.
• The President of the Maldives has recognized India's ongoing role as the 'First Responder' in emergencies, such as the water crisis in Male in 2014 and the Covid-19 pandemic.
• India has been the Maldives' main security partner, as shown during events like "Operation Cactus" in 1988, when India intervened to stop a coup.
• Geopolitical Balancing with China: The Maldives is taking a more balanced approach to its relations with both India and China, instead of completely shifting to China.
• This strategy allows the Maldives to keep benefiting from India's development and security partnerships, while also maintaining a varied foreign policy.
• Political Realism: The tensions between India and the Maldives, driven by political statements and social media conflicts, have been harmful to their relationship.
• The recent visit is a strategic effort to ensure strong ties with India, given the economic and geopolitical significance of this partnership.

What is the Significance of Maldives for India? 

• Strategic Location: The Maldives is located along important International Shipping Lanes (ISLs) in the Indian Ocean, which are essential for global trade and energy transportation.
• About 50% of India's external trade and 80% of its energy imports pass through these shipping lanes.
• Countering Chinese Influence: India sees the Maldives as a key country to help balance China's increasing power in the region and to protect its own security.
• Indian Ocean as India’s Backyard: A positive and stable environment in the Indian Ocean is crucial for India's strategic goals. The Maldives plays a significant role as a partner in this region.
• Climate Change Collaboration: The Maldives is highly vulnerable to rising sea levels and climate-related disasters, making it an important ally for India in efforts to adapt to and manage climate change.

Conclusion 

• President Muizzu of the Maldives recently visited India, which is an important event for their relationship.
• This visit represents a major change, moving from earlier tensions to a new level of cooperation.
• During the visit, economic challenges were discussed, highlighting how India is a vital partner for the Maldives.
• The visit aimed to strengthen strategic and economic ties between the two countries.
• It also plays a role in stabilizing the geopolitical balance in the region.