The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) should remain a demilitarized zone, former Maldivian President Abdullah Yameen said, opposing the alleged presence of Indian military personnel in the strategically located archipelago, which has lately emerged as a key battleground for influence between the two big Asian powers, India and China.

Earlier jailed over corruption charges, China-leaning Yameen was acquitted by the country’s top court in August last year and has been leading anti-Indian protests under the banner of the “India-out” campaign. Among his demands are the withdrawal of Indian military personnel and the cancelation of some of the defense deals signed with India.

“I don't want the Indian Ocean, especially in our neighborhood to be militarized. I like this area to be a demilitarized zone,” Yameen said in an interview with Reuters. “We don't like to see any foreign power here,” he said, arguing that it could encourage other nations like China and the United States to build up its presence in the region.

Out of power since 2018 after losing the presidential election, Yameen said in the interview, “It's imperative that we get the Indian military out before the end of this year. We certainly don't like to play second fiddle here in our own country.”

A country of roughly half a million people, the Maldives shares close economic, defense ties, and people-to-people ties with India. However, Yameen, who was the country’s president between 2013-2018, grew increasingly closer to China and signed a number of key agreements, including a free trade agreement, financing key infrastructure projects, including a key bridge over sea connecting capital Male to the Velena International Airport.

However, these fundings also drew criticism as the country’s external debt soared substantially, raising fears of a debt-trap. Defending his actions, Yameen said, “Let's be frank with this. Europe or the US, they don't hand out parcels of money for development. It's only China that does that.”
Significantly, during his time in office, the Maldives came under the radar of the West and rights activists for widespread violations of human rights and an intense crackdown on his political opponents.
Later, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who succeeded him in 2018, adopted the “India-First” policy and reversed most of his foreign policy decisions.

After his release from jail in 2021, Yameen intensified his anti-Indian campaign, which the government and experts say is designed to take domestic mileage ahead of the key presidential election due in 2023.

Initially started on various social media platforms, the “India-Out” campaign grew substantial across the country, with Yameen and his allies holding large rallies, undermining the government’s close cooperation with New Delhi, and fueling hatred against India and Indians.

Terming Yameen’s India Out campaign “dangerous”, former president Nasheed accused him of launching the hate campaign for “personal gains”. He further said Yameen’s actions have created problems between the Maldives and other major countries.

Countering Yameen’s allegation of putting the Maldives’ independence at risk, the government said it was Yameen’s actions that are risking the safety of thousands of Maldivians living and working in India. Additionally, it is also threatening hundreds of Indians working in crucial service sectors like health and education in the Maldives are also being threatened by his campaign.

Speaking on the allegation of the presence of Indian military personnel, Maldives Defense Minister Mariya Didi told Reuters India's military presence in the country was limited to the operation and maintenance of three search-and-rescue and surveillance aircraft used by Maldives' defense forces, as well as a medical team at a military hospital. "There is no additional foreign military presence in [the] Maldives," she asserted.

(SAM)