India and Maldives reaffirmed their counter-terrorism cooperation as essential to safeguarding security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), emphasising the need for strengthening global cooperation to combat terrorism. Both countries denounced terrorism in all its forms and expressions, including cross-border terrorism.
On Monday, the Maldives and India convened the second meeting of the Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism, Counter-Violent Extremism, and De-Radicalisation to combat terrorism and to prohibit the misuse of the internet and cyberspace for terrorism and violent extremism.
Talks on Terrorism
Foreign Secretary Ahmed Latheef headed the Maldivian delegation, while Secretary (West) of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Sanjay Verma led the Indian delegation.
According to the statement released by the MEA, India and the Maldives assessed the threats posed by terrorist groups sanctioned by the UN and highlighted the necessity for coordinated action against all terrorist networks.
Additionally, both countries emphasised the pressing need for all governments to take quick, persistent, verifiable, and irreversible measures to guarantee that no territory under their control is utilised for terrorist attacks on others and bring perpetrators of such acts to justice immediately.
Indian and Maldives exchanged views on various areas of cooperation, including countering radicalisation and violent extremism, combating terrorism financing, and establishing institutional linkages between law enforcement agencies, security forces, customs, immigration, and other relevant agencies.
The two sides also discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation to tackle organised crime and narcotics and repatriation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of returnees.
Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to increasing cooperation and participation in multilateral fora, such as the UN, and other global and regional organisations such as the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC).
Co-chaired 2nd #India-#Maldives JWG on Counter-Terrorism, Countering Violent Extremism and De-radicalisation at @MoFAmv today with H.E. @ForeignSecMV Ahmed Latheef. Capacity building, information sharing and cooperation on global forums is the path ahead. @MEAIndia@HCIMaldives pic.twitter.com/BIU4JZcDoF
— Sanjay Verma (@SanjayVermalFS) July 24, 2023
‘India Out’ Campaign
Political rivals of the Maldives’ ruling party have criticised President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s stance on strengthening ties with India for financial and security aid.
Since last year, the opposition, led by former president Abdulla Yameen of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), has been spearheading an ‘India Out’ campaign, propagating the questionable claim that Indian military officers stationed in the Indian Ocean island nation are a violation of Maldives’ sovereignty.
The implicit target of this campaign are President Solih and the Maldivian Democratic Party, both of which are perceived as being close allies to India.
Maldives Government Supporting India
Last year, President Solih issued a proclamation declaring the opposition’s ‘India Out’ campaign a “threat to national security.” This decree enables security services to remove campaign banners and offers constitutional support for action against opposition parties
Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdullah Shahid described the opposition’s ‘India Out’ campaign as the “dying cry of a dictatorship.” “India-Maldives ties have never been better in the history of bilateral relations,” he added.
Our @nilanthis recently spoke to @NikkeiAsia about the #Maldives’ upcoming presidential race and the anti-#India stance being touted by ex-president Abdulla Yameen, who is also a staunch advocate for embracing #China. Read more here: https://t.co/JLXSUsYPtl
— U.S. Institute of Peace (@USIP) July 22, 2023
Shahid told Nikkei Asia during a visit to Tokyo earlier this May, “In foreign policy, we have an India-first approach.” He highlighted both countries sharing a “very special bond,” noting that “every time we have had an emergency and had to dial 911 International, India has been the first responder.”
Earlier in May, the Maldives joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, a China-led regional security and defence organisation. According to Shahid, the membership provides “an opportunity to benefit from resources and expertise that we do not have” and “partner with countries in the region where we have traditionally not had much contact,” such as Central Asia.
‘India Out’ Campaign Resurfaces
The Maldivian government began a damage-control campaign earlier this month after the outlawed “India Out” campaign resurfaced recently, with protesters wearing Indian PM Narendra Modi masks. The government also issued a statement condemning the opposition for wearing face masks depicting PM Modi during protests and continuing to use the “India Out” slogan.
According to the statement, “The strong bilateral relationship between the Maldives and India is based on shared historical and cultural ties, matched by dynamic people-to-people contact.” It also added that “India has always been the Maldives’ closest ally and trusted neighbour, extending constant and consistent support to the people of Maldives on all fronts.”
The Solih government also reaffirmed its support for Male’s India First policy, which the opposition criticised for months, claiming that the Maldivian Democratic Party government was jeopardising the archipelago’s autonomy by siding with New Delhi.