India-China Geopolitical Tensions: Strategic and National Security Implications with respect to Maldives

Abstract

The geopolitical landscape of the Indian Ocean is undergoing significant shifts, with the changing political dynamics in the Maldives, the evolving India-China relationship, and India's strategic moves in the Lakshadweep archipelago. This paper examines the intricate interplay between domestic politics, regional alliances, and strategic concerns in the Indian Ocean, focusing on the implications for India's national security. The Lakshadweep-Maldives-Chagos archipelago has historically been strategically important to India, and recent developments, such as the establishment of India’s second naval facility in the Lakshadweep and the political shift in the Maldives, have brought this region into the spotlight. The changing India-China relationship, fuelled by China's growing influence in the Maldives and India's historical ties with the previous Maldivian administration, has raised concerns about the potential creation of a power vacuum in the Indian Ocean. The Maldivian President's call for the withdrawal of Indian troops from the country could potentially favour China's influence and jeopardize vital sea routes, increasing the risks of instability, piracy, terrorism, and other criminal activities. India's proactive diplomacy under its "Neighbourhood First Policy" aims to sustain its image as a great power while countering China's rise in the region. This research explores the relationship between China and the Maldives, its implications for India, and the patterns of investment by both India and China in the Maldives. The broader implications of the India- China geopolitical conflict on India's national security in international waters are also examined.   DOI : https://doi.org/10.70646/PJSP.2024.1109