Multi-party Democracy in the Maldives and the Emerging Security Environment in the Indian Ocean Region

About the Book

Maldives is the smallest country of South Asia. But its significance is no less because of its crucial geo-strategic location in the Indian Ocean. It sits astride on major sea lanes of communications (SLOCs). However, the crucial geo-strategic location of the Maldives has also caused problems for the country as it has aroused interests of major world powers. They have tried to meddle into the domestic politics of the Maldives so that a favourable dispensation can come to power, which in turn would promote their interests in the Maldives and in the Indian Ocean region (IOR). Maldives became a multi-party democracy in October 2008 when a new constitution was implemented. This was a positive development in a hundred percent Sunni Muslim country, as a number of other Muslim countries were moving on the path of extremism. Ironically, the multiparty democracy also allowed rise in extremism as radicals used the available democratic space to their advantage. Unfortunately, the first democratic government in the Maldives could not complete its term and the ensuing political instability in the Maldives led to greater meddling by external powers in its domestic politics.

This book is an attempt to understand the fledgling multiparty democracy in the Maldives, its foreign policy and the evolving security scenario in the Indian Ocean region.

About the Author

Dr. Anand Kumar is an Associate Fellow at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA), New Delhi. After completing his PhD from School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru Univesity (JNU), he joined the IDSA in 2007. His area of specialization is Maldives, Bangladesh, South Asian politics, Counter-terrorism, Proliferation of Small Arms and Low intensity conflicts. Before joining IDSA he worked at South Asia Analysis Group on similar themes. He has also been with the Institute for Conflict Management which specializes on Counter-terrorism.

His first book Return from the Precipice: Bangladesh’s Fight Against Terrorism was published in year 2012. His edited volume The Terror Challenge in South Asia and Prospect of Regional Cooperation was published in 2011. He has published around 20 articles in reputed journals, contributed around 10 chapters in edited books and delivered lectures on security issues both in India and abroad. He has published hundreds of articles in leading newspapers and magazines. Some of the select publications are “Insurgency in South Asia muted by war on terror,” The Washington Times, January 16, 2004 and The Jihadi Next Door, The Washington Times, 20 May 2010

CONTENTS

Acknowledgements

Map of Maldives

1. Introduction
   Methodology
   Organisation
   




2. The Road to Multi-party Democracy
   Maldives and the British Suzerainty
   The First Written Constitution of the Maldives
   The Second Constitution
   Establishment of First Republican Government with theThird Constitution
   The Fourth Constitution Brings Elected Monarchy
   Establishment of Second Republic with the Fifth Constitution
   Establishment of Constitutional Assembly by Gayoom
   The 2008 Constitution




3. Multi-party Democracy in the Maldives
   Presidential Election 2008
   Onset of Multi-party Democracy
   The 2009 Parliamentary Elections
   Emergence of the Political Rivalry
   Nasheed Gives up ‘Forgive and Forget’ Policy
   Power Struggle between the President and the Parliament
   Other Challenges before Nasheed’s Government
   A Legacy of Financial Crisis
   Economic Crisis Alienated People
   Rise of Islamic Fundamentalism
   Emergence of Religious Extremism in the Maldives
   Gayoom and the Islamic Extremists
   Emergence of Extremist Organisations

   Involvement of Maldivians in Terror Attacks
   Islamists in Post-Gayoom Era
   Nasheed’s Government Admits Rising Extremism
   Extremism Hampered Promotion of Tourism
   The Unholy Alliance of Islamists and ‘Democrats’
   Nasheed’s Lack of Political Abilities
   Mishandling of the Political Crisis by Nasheed
   Political Transition or Coup
   Fumbling of Indian Diplomacy
   Setback to Multi-party Democracy




4. Maldives under Waheed
   The GMR Controversy
   Indian Approach to Political Crisis in Maldives





5. The Controversial Second Multi-party Elections
   The 2013 Presidential Elections
   Use of Institutions to Further Political and Electoral Interests
   Breaking-up of the Progressive Alliance and Change of Political Scenario
   Islamists under Abdulla Yameen
   Yameen’s Suppression of the Opposition and Re-alignment of Political Forces
   Future of Multi-party Democracy in the Maldives




6. Changing Regimes and Maldivian Foreign Policy
   Maldives and Indian Interests
   Foreign Policy of the Maldives after Independence (Since 1965)
   Foreign Policy under Gayoom
   Foreign Policy under Nasheed
   Foreign Policy under Waheed
   Foreign Policy under Abdulla Yameen
   Implications for India




7. Strategic Importance of the Indian Ocean and the Maldives
   Maritime Challenges in the IOR
   Protection of SLOCs
   Piracy
   Maritime Terrorism
   Security against Mining
   Natural Disasters and Oil-related Environmental Disasters
   Absence of a Unified Trans-Oceanic Community in the IOR
   Strategic Interests of the Major Indian Ocean Players
   Indian Interests in the Indian Ocean
   India’s Sea Power
   The US Interests in the Indian Ocean
   Strategic Interests of Australia in the IOR
   Japan’s Interests in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)
   China’s Interests and Activities in the Indian Ocean
   Emergence of Chinese Maritime Security Interests
   China and the Maritime Silk Route
   China’s Seabed Mining Forays in the IOR
   India’s Attempt to Reinvigorate Policy towards the IOR
   Tri-Nation Maritime Agreement
   India’s five-fold Framework for Maritime Engagement in the IOR
   Maldives and Major Powers
   Changing Dynamics of the Indian Ocean Region




8. Maldives and the Great Game in the Indian Ocean Region
   Maldives and Chinese Strategic Considerations
   Chinese Quest for Military Bases
   Maldives Amends Constitution to Enable Foreign Ownership of Land
   Chinese Military Diplomacy with the Maldives
   Negotiation of the US-Maldives SOFA Agreement
   India Striving to Maintain Security Environment of Indian Ocean
   The Emerging Security Scenario in the IOR




9. The Future of Democracy in Maldives and Its Impact on the Security Environment in the Indian Ocean Region

   APPENDICES

   Appendix 1: Statement by His Excellency Mohamed Nasheed, President of the Republic of Maldives to the General Debate of the General Assembly

   Appendix 2: Proposed Agreement between The United States of America and The Republic of Maldives Regarding Status of Forces and Access to and use of Facilities in the Maldives

   Appendix 3: Outcome Document of the Second NSA-Level Meeting on Trilateral Cooperation on Maritime Security between India, the Maldives and Sri Lanka

   Appendix 4: Maldives

Index

Order Hard Copy

Please email us at adps.idsa [at] nic.in or call +91-11-2671 7983 (Ext. 7303)