Hindi English Translation || Editorial || A change for the worse: On the rapid decline in India-Maldives ties

A change for the worse: On the rapid decline in India-Maldives ties

India and the Maldives should see the benefits of closer ties

The rapid decline (कमी, गिरावट) in ties between India and the Maldives, just a month after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the newly elected Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, should set alarm bells ringing. The trigger (To cause something to start or happen; a device that releases a spring or catch and initiates an action, typically in firearms) came from tweets by three Maldivian Ministers, attacking Mr. Modi for promoting the Lakshadweep islands during his recent sojourn there at a perceived (अनुभव करना) cost to the Maldives and for his close ties with Israel; the Ministers also made derogatory (अपमानजनक) remarks about Indians. The tweets have been deleted, the Ministers suspended, and the Maldivian government has distanced itself from them, but the damage has been done. The respective Ambassadors were summoned (बुलाना). Hurt Indians have crowded social media sites calling for an economic “boycott” of the Maldives — Indian tourists make up the most arrivals post-COVID-19. However, the underlying reasons run deeper, and could have a broader impact on India-Maldives relations and the neighbourhood, accruing to the change in government in Male. Mr. Muizzu rode to power on the back of the PPM’s “India Out” campaign. Despite its disappointment with the win of ‘anti-Indian forces’, given the warm relationship it shared with his predecessor (पूर्ववर्ती) Ibrahim Solih, the Modi government sent a Minister to his swearing (शपथ खाना) in, and there was a Modi-Muizzu meet at the COP28. However, Mr. Muizzu chose Turkey as his first bilateral destination, and is now visiting China — becoming the first President not to make India his first priority (प्राथमिकता). Even President Yameen, who began the “India Out” movement and cozied up to Beijing, visited Delhi first in 2014. Mr. Muizzu has continued to press India on the withdrawal of its military personnel, even though India has clarified their role.

With the calls for boycotts and rising hypernationalistic rhetoric (वाक्पटुता), Delhi and Male need to take a step back and reassess their responses. Mr. Muizzu can ill-afford to antagonise India, given its proximity, economic might and historical position as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean, something Maldives has relied on. India too must see the futility of muscling in a much smaller neighbour, however egregious the provocation (उत्तेजना). The last few years of ties between the Solih government and Delhi show the benefits of a stronger relationship: India’s infrastructure forays and development projects in the islands, an intense strategic partnership, support during the COVID-19 pandemic, and cooperation on the international stage. For India, in a region that sees several elections this year, it is paramount to ensure that domestic political changes in the neighbourhood do not change the basic structure of bilateral ties, or affect regional stability.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Important Word List With Meaning

1.Decline (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - कमी, गिरावट
English Meaning - A gradual and continuous decrease or deterioration in quality, quantity, or value; to refuse or reject.

2.Perceive (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - अनुभव करना
English Meaning - To become aware of or recognize through the senses; to understand, grasp, or interpret.

3.Derogatory (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - अपमानजनक
English Meaning - Showing a critical or disrespectful attitude; intended to belittle or disparage.

4.Summon (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - बुलाना
English Meaning - To call someone to be present, typically by an authority or command; to urgently request someone's presence.

5.Predecessor (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - पूर्ववर्ती
English Meaning - A person who held a job or office before the current holder; a thing that precedes another in time.

6.Swear (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - शपथ खाना
English Meaning - To make a solemn statement or promise; to use profane or offensive language.

7.Priority (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - प्राथमिकता
English Meaning - The condition of being regarded or treated as more important than others; precedence in order, rank, or importance.

8.Rhetoric (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - वाक्पटुता
English Meaning - The art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing; language designed to have a persuasive or impressive effect.

9.Provocation (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - उत्तेजना
English Meaning - Action or speech that makes someone annoyed or angry, especially deliberately.

10.Trigger (Verb)

English Meaning - To cause something to start or happen; a device that releases a spring or catch and initiates an action, typically in firearms.

11.Accure (Verb)

English Meaning - To accumulate or receive benefits or advantages over time, typically through an investment or process.