Getting ReBRInded. Maldives as malXives
Maldives President Muizzu is taking firms steps to ensure that his country is well and truly strapped under China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Maldives may as well soon be rebranded as MalXives. While China already has been investing in Maldives, Muizzu's recent Beijing visit means more investments and projects by China.
The Dragon's Draconian Investments
Sri Lanka, Pakistan and countries in Africa already suffer from the downside of aligning with China and inviting investments from it. The Chinese investment in the international airport at Entebbe in Uganda is one such example. Readers may recollect this airport in Uganda had been made famous by the Israeli military's brilliant counter-terrorism rescue in 1976 of a hundred hostages.
Easy, Opaque and Squeezing - Chinese Investments
There are about ten clauses in the Chinese investment in Entebbe airport (through the Chinese Exim Bank) that seem categorically one-sided including a startling one not to disclose the terms of the deal to any party. Independent-thinking leaders of small nations would surely baulk at entering into any engagements with entities who could hold your country to ransom.
Muizzu,
Obviously the newly elected President Mohamed Muizzu is made of different stuff. The anti-India lobby in the Maldives has been nurtured and cultivated enough by the CCP to ensure that Chinese investments don't see many hurdles. The CCP must feel good about the Returns (RoI) on this investment.
Maldives A Strategic Indian Ocean Location
Strategically placed in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives archipelago has traditionally been the beneficiary of India's friendliness and quick assistance in a few crises. India has been running or participating in developmental projects as well in the islands. India has also had the privilege of keeping a small military presence in the islands.
Muizzu's Ultimatum To India
It may not take much intuition to assume that China is the reason behind Muizzu now vehemently giving an ultimatum to India. To remove its military presence in two months. With India out of the picture, it would be only a matter of time before Maldives becomes not only becoming an economic colony, but also a very important military base in the Indian Ocean region.
Male Mayoral Loss
A development that may bring a little cheer to India is the win of the pro-India opposition for the position of Mayor of Male, Maldives capital. But it may still be, too little too late. China already has projects completed or underway that are a millstone around Maldives' neck. With increasing Chinese investments, and India's hold loosening, the people of Maldives may really not be able to wish away Chinese 'colonization'. The stage may soon be set for a Chinese naval base in India's backyard.
