India - The Indian Ocean Civilization & IOR

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 16 Feb 2012 13:09

PRC offered to rebuild all police stations And govt buildings burnt by MDP.
Unity govt confirmed unwavering support to India. MNDF will lose access to indian facilities if they sign def agreement with PRC . Mathai couldn't convince Nasheed to join the unity govt - but talks are on, chances of MDP joining unity govt.

pushkar.bhat · Post by **pushkar.bhat** » 16 Feb 2012 22:33

News just in... N Delhi working to resolve stalemate in Maldives by getting parties to agree to early elections.

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 17 Feb 2012 00:54

^^ Yes early elections - all of the political parties want to be president. MDP looks like they will reconciliatethanks to India's prodding.

FYI Source listed me the names of the appointees of the govt:
President Waheed
Special advisor toPres Waheed - Dr Hassan (part of the new maldives movement that backed Naseed and democratic elections)
DRP Leader - Thasmeen
PPM (Gayoom) - Yameen (Gayooms bro)

Only possible anti India person there primarily due to business interests is JP leader Qasim. He is the one who financed the coup! He is the oen who rallied public against Nasheed and financed it

Theo_Fidel · Post by **Theo_Fidel** » 17 Feb 2012 01:19

shyamd wrote:PRC offered to rebuild all police stations And govt buildings burnt by MDP.

If I read that report correctly using Chinese labor and contractors. Talk about pi$$ing of India. Looks like tit for tat for Vietnam. Small minded Panda never flubs a chance to make more enemies.

Roperia · Post by **Roperia** » 17 Feb 2012 01:41

Tweets by Vikas Bajaj (Mumbai Correspondent, The New York Times) from Maldives

An agreement for early elections in the Maldives has been worked out in principle, Prez. Waheed Hassan's spokesman tells me on the phone

Nasheed camp confirms the agreement, they are hoping for an Aug election. But first there has to be a constitutional amendment. #Maldives

Both sides say Indian mediation was critical in breaking stalemate. New Delhi sent foreign secy Rajan Mathai to Male on Wed. #Maldives

Sec Mathai has been in a firefighting mode lately. Few days back he was in Washington answering questions on Iran and India's Nuclear liability law - which US Congress claims is inconsistent with the global liability regime and now he is busy reconciling the various political forces in Maldives.

It seems atleast the later has been a successful engagement.

Sanku · Post by **Sanku** » 17 Feb 2012 17:25

Theo_Fidel wrote:Permanent base has to be backed up and an extension of the military. Like Diego Garcia. Backed with aircraft, missile shields, nuclear shields, 1 hour response teams and even a Submarine fleet. You can have an outpost in Antartica if you feel like but do you have the muscle to to defend it and deny others the space. If you can not deny space, your merely pi$$ing into the wind....

It is not that the Indian military can not do it, but it would have to be a different kind of military....

Nopes, we dont need all that in all forward bases, not all forward air bases have the same threat perception, as far as nuclear shields are concerned, we dont have it mainland so why should that stop us from venturing?

What are our threats in Maldives? Local army, rag tag militias from the region and?

The Chinese cant get their without alerting half the world, neither can US. There is no need to demand
"everything" before we can do something.

All I want is about 2000-5000 front line troops with logistics, a naval base to quickly move them around if needed couple of Frigates to generally dominate the surrounding area with Patrols, about 10 smaller coast guard type vessels.

60% of the effort can overlap with with Anti-piracy ops, just that its base is no longer Bombay but elsewhere.

==================

We have "stuff" in Bhutan, but Bhutan is not forward deployment, merely extension. -- As I expect this operation to be to.

Sanku · Post by **Sanku** » 17 Feb 2012 17:29

shyamd wrote: LOL. Well you are the one demanding unrealistic deadlines.

No shyamd, I am saying that 8 years of excuses have made things worse. This govt is not doing anything nor will do anything.

You can keep quoting "works in progress", "reasons", "compelling reasons" and "trade off"

but when the rubber meets the road -- the net result is "zero", "nada" and "zip" and will remain so till these parasites get booted out and some one even remotely less and completely useless takes the helm.

Theo_Fidel · Post by **Theo_Fidel** » 17 Feb 2012 21:06

Curiously in the vicinity......

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-17071474

Police in India have opened a murder enquiry into the deaths of two fishermen allegedly killed by gunfire from an Italian oil tanker.

The Italian ship fired at the fishermen in waters off India's southern state of Kerala, the Indian navy said in a statement. Officials said the vessel was bound from Singapore to Egypt, with a crew of 34, including 19 Indians. The Italians say the crew members fired in self-defence - after initially firing warning shots - because they feared their vessel was about to be attacked. A senior official in Kerala, PG Thomas, said the attack was unwarranted as there were "no weapons on the trawler". Indian officials said nine of the 11 fishermen in the trawler were asleep and the two victims were steering it when the incident happened. "The fishermen did not fire at the ship. They couldn't have been mistaken for pirates," said Kerala police official P Chandrashekhar. "The Indian trawler was 100m from the ship. The trawler wanted the ship to pass."

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 18 Feb 2012 00:07

I said this earlier

Send a senior envoy and basically ensure free and fair elections by the end of the year. Make sure Nasheed can re-group and participate. Get Washington and Russia to support us.

These are the only countries that can intervene seriously in Maldives.
.........

This appears to be exactly what has happened in the last few days.

Assessment from GoI is that Gayoom is the man who instigated the trouble. He lacks total ground support. For 30 years, India supported Gayoom and turned a blind eye on radicalisation because he was pro India. Nasheed is the man with ground support - even maldivian source who dropped support for him said the same.

The question is, what went wrong in this coup? Gayoom/Qasim (the financier) needs to be on watchlist of intel. What were the motives of the coup? This is where the probe should be imo.

I think Nasheed played his card well, he was playing up PRC defence agreement which forced India to act. After Mathai meeting, he said he was happy. Pure politics, he played the same card before elections calling himself Indian etc. Nevertheless good for India.

Post elections, GoI will only increase their support/influence/engagement in Maldives.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 18 Feb 2012 03:58

ShyamD, Use the Luttwak book to study the recent BD 'mutiny'. And advanced project to study power relations in TSP. there is French paper on chances of jihadi -military coup in TSP.

We can then figure out what India is doing.

brihaspati · Post by **brihaspati** » 18 Feb 2012 07:52

Both sides are being increasingly forced to line up with the islamists, and not just the adaalathis. Whatever GOI may try now, the so-called ground-reality of politics there will force compromises with the islamists - and they are not in favour of India. There is already sufficient pressure internally on India not to cause any takleef to the mullahcracy in Maldives.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 18 Feb 2012 08:13

Bji, Doom and gloom will get us only so far!
Please look at the bright side and share the optimism.

In the end, the end game is being negotiated by India.

brihaspati · Post by **brihaspati** » 18 Feb 2012 08:21

No its not gloom and doom for me. Just one more peg dropping into its hole. I believe in long term planning and preparation. A correct estimate of a difficult situation is a precondition for reasonably correct planning. Overestimating is as bad as underestimating. I had been warning about Maldives for at least two years.

Rony · Post by **Rony** » 18 Feb 2012 10:59

Pakistanisation of maldives is complete.

Foreign couple mocked and insulted In Maldives Wedding ceremony

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 18 Feb 2012 18:10

ramana wrote:ShyamD, Use the Luttwak book to study the recent BD 'mutiny'. And advanced project to study power relations in TSP. there is French paper on chances of jihadi -military coup in TSP.

We can then figure out what India is doing.

Will try and write something up on it soon

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 18 Feb 2012 18:23

Adhalaat were even in Nasheed govt. so far they have been denied education ministry, next they asked for culture. They haven't been given a posting yet. Let's see what they get before we jump to conclusions.

brihaspati · Post by **brihaspati** » 18 Feb 2012 19:24

I find it rather curious that we consistently rely on elite statements or government formal compositions as indicative of Islamist influence on a regime or a country. In full blown Islamist countries, this influence is mediated by below the radar Islamic institutional networks - which spans the society as well as its elite.

As I have mentioned before, the Adaalathis are not the only face of islamism in the scene. Further, it is a standard technique of Islamists to ally in sequence with factions of the elite. Thus Adaalathis supported and joined Nasheed's "democracy" movement against Gayoom, pretending initial liberalism on certain questions while keeping the long term "purification" agenda driven by the Gulf and Pakis - intact. This was done on the calculation of gaining legitimacy - even though the patrons and political ancestors of Adaalathis had been working with Gayoom.

But the question that has been consistently ignored here as to why political elite factions cannot do without the Islamists one way or the other. This is the fundamental grip that the mullahcracy has on Islamic societies through their persistent ideological reinforcement in the general populations through Islamic institutions. They mediate between the state and people and thereby over time capture both.

Even if Adaalathis dont get any significant ministry in nay future Nasheed gov, they do not stand to lose their legitimacy that they have already gained. They will ally again with Gayoom if necessary - and if necessary Islamists will float another face to fit the bill. But through this alternative cycles of joining with elite factions, over time it is the the core of islamism which gains legitimacy in the soicety and politics.

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 18 Feb 2012 22:49

I don't think they enjoy the type of support or have that kind of organised support on the likes of the MB YET. But it is not to say they are not a threat. Key is to shut off the connection to pak. But the offer to get free education in madrasa in pak is too attractive. If you can solve this problem, you are on your way of fixing a problem. Apparently after the bomb attacks in male all the groups are under watch.

But solutions need to be made for these issues. Nasheed isn't really an extremist, we can do business with him. Solutions such as subsidies for education could be an option or bring the
To TN or something .. Cheaper or closer than pak.

Any ideas people?

Sanku · Post by **Sanku** » 18 Feb 2012 22:53

shyamd wrote: Any ideas people?

You wont really accept them. So far new ideas are either passed off as old ideas (when they are not) or being done (when they really are not) -- the key is to change is to protect those who will force change. (Folks are not being practical if they think that change will be unopposed) Without that we cant get off the ground.

brihaspati · Post by **brihaspati** » 18 Feb 2012 23:00

What would be offered to counter cheaper learning by rote, easy on the brain, in Paki Madrassas? Even cheaper similar learning by rote, easy on the brain, Indian Madrassas? Maybe with a scholarship to boot?

Well what should have been done was to build a network of universities there, and build close ties with Indian uni's. Higher education, followed up from an emphasis on science and technology in the secondary school systems - would be the key to displace the ideological space given over to the Islamists.

That was not done. It would be difficult now as the islamists would campaign against any move that will impose more stress on science and that they fear would undermine the hold of the mullahcracy. But still worth a try - have campuses of mainstream Indian unis/institutes in the island. In the long run, if the school education cannot be freed of the influence of the islamists - the social dominance of the islamists would ensure that future techies from Maldives will be using Indian unis/campuses there or mainland - simply to get better tools of terror for Islamists.

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 19 Feb 2012 01:40

Nasheed started the first university in Maldives literally a year ago.
MMS in his speech said he wants Maldivian students to be educated in a secular environment but it's not clear what was offered other than increase in scholarships. But MMS trip was predominantly security in nature.

Linking your manipal's, IIT's, IISc's to Maldivian national universities should be done. I think the only real solution is to bankroll the education ministry there and send poor maldivians to schools in India for free. It's a price worth paying. Once this political situation is sorted out, it's worth while getting PMO or MEA to seriously consider this proposal.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 19 Feb 2012 05:25

The Islamisation of the Maldives,to "Islamist"l standards, has been an objective of our estranged neighbour and its Wahabi patrons.The venal govt. of Gayoom made it possible for the inevitable spread of the disease.India has turned a blind eye to events in the islands and is doing oso as well in Mauritius,where a combined Chinese and Islamist agenda is in the works.The swift "ditching" of the ousted pres. was a shock both from the speed with which it was delivered,most unusual for the MEA,and the logic behind it.From all reports,Nasheed looked to India in the main for the security and development of the Maldivian people,educating them ,etc."How India lost the Maldives" is an article in the latest Ind.Today.As I said elsewhere in a thread,with a "plasticene" PM and jokers in the MEA who are allowing China to gobble up Indian territory diplomatically and militarily without any defence whatsoever, led by another joker of a minister who doesn't even know which speech he must read at international events,what else can you expect from Indian diplomacy ?

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 19 Feb 2012 05:31

Hopefully this can be replicatd in the Maldives. FYI, remaining 6 ministries have been held for discussions with MDP (nasheed) before offering anything to the smaller parties. Elections by year end if all parties agree as I had predicted!

With education fairs, India woos Sri Lankan students

R. K. Radhakrishnan
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Close proximity, identical culture, and lower cost highlighted

India is promoting itself seriously as an education destination in Sri Lanka, with a series of initiatives. Three education fairs were organised this financial year as part of a ‘Study in India' campaign, coordinated by the Indian High Commission here.

“India being Sri Lanka's closest neighbour, the travel expenses involved are much less. The culture is almost identical and India offers high quality education at a fraction of cost compared to many other countries,” said Shaik Suleman, General Manager of EdCIL (Educational Consultants India Limited). It is a Government of India Enterprise mandated to promote and develop education in India and abroad.

Finding a seat in a university in Sri Lanka is a tough task for a student for, there are only few universities. According to Sri Lankan government estimates, about 10,000 students go abroad for studies. But this number could be much higher since there is no streamlined manner of gathering their statistics. India hopes to attract at least half of the 10,000 students given its various advantages.

Right now, Australia is the most preferred destination: last year about 2,000 students headed there. The year before, this number was 3,500. The numbers dropped because of the government crackdown on fly-by-night educational institutions, and the introduction of a tougher visa regime. On an average, about 1,500 students head for India. This estimate is based on the number of student visa applications that the Indian High Commission has given out in the past few years.

India has a plethora of recognised professional colleges which could accommodate students from abroad. This has been the focus of all the three exhibitions here, including the latest “Indian Education Fair” held in Colombo from February 17 to19. It showcased over 20 of the most reputed Indian institutions representing more than 100 colleges.

The participating institutions offer courses in Science, Medicine, Dentistry, Engineering, Architecture, Business, Economics and Humanities, in addition to Films and Acting.

“India has also increased the number of scholarships by nearly three times, to reach 270 scholarships, and also has highly subsidised self-financing slots, which would be available from the current year,” said Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Ashok K. Kantha. “These scholarships would be funded by India under a grant assistance amounting to 2.5 billion Sri Lankan Rupees, to be spent over a three-year period,” he added.

Theo_Fidel · Post by **Theo_Fidel** » 20 Feb 2012 06:19

shyamd wrote:Linking your manipal's, IIT's, IISc's to Maldivian national universities should be done. I think the only real solution is to bankroll the education ministry there and send poor maldivians to schools in India for free. It's a price worth paying. Once this political situation is sorted out, it's worth while getting PMO or MEA to seriously consider this proposal.

Maldivian students study in India by the thousands already. Several hundred scholarships are available, many dedicated to Maldivians and have always been available. The Indian High Commission has an entire wing built to accommodate students, both Indian and Maldivian, taking entrance tests for Indian schools and colleges. Many are quite poor students but most are from the wealthier 'elite' population. If you have any sort of money you send your kid to India for education. The Indian diaspora definitely does this, esp. as the Government school is not accessible by 'non-muslims'. To say Maldivian education standards are poor would be an understatement.

The problem of students turning up in TSP is entirely different. It is function of an old viciously racist and bigoted religious group that has deliberately angled for the role of Islamic Authority. It is this authoritarian wacko group that is trying to drink from the poison of TSP. Nothing India says or does can end this craziness. It must come from the Government there and from stable politics.

Arav · Post by **Arav** » 29 Feb 2012 13:48

India for early Presidential polls in Maldives

India has proposed early Presidential elections in Maldives to end the political impasse in the country following the ouster of the first democratically elected President Mohamed Nasheed.

During his talks with leaders of political parties on Tuesday night, Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai proposed a paper which hinted at Presidential election before the end of this year, local media quoted participants at the meeting as saying.

Mr. Mathai arrived in Male on Tuesday on an unannounced visit to hold meetings with various stakeholders. This is his second visit here following the political unrest that engulfed the country early this month following Mr. Nasheed’s ouster.

The Sun online claimed that the paper presented by Mr. Mathai sought amendments to the Constitution within one month to pave the way for an early Presidential election before December this year.

Asked on the outcome of the meeting, chaired by the first human rights commissioner of Maldives and ex-Minister Ahmed Mujuthaba, Mr. Mathai said he might tell something later on Wednesday.

Indian High Commissioner to Maldives D.M. Mulay and Ibrahim Hussain Zaki, former chief of Mr. Nasheed’s Maldivian Democratic Party, were also present. Maldives current Attorney General also attended the meeting towards the end.

During the meeting, few political leaders had some differences with the Foreign Secretary and the meeting which lasted for two hours didn’t find a consensus forward.

Representatives of some political parties objected the presence of Mr. Mathai at the meeting, saying it was not good as the Indian Foreign Secretary is involving himself in the internal matters of this country, media reports said.

Mr. Mathai visited Maldives at the peak of the differences among the political parties and it was he who was able to make all the political parties agree for talks.

abhishek_sharma · Post by **abhishek_sharma** » 02 Mar 2012 07:47

Md. Nasheed on the coup

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 10 Apr 2012 01:02

Don't read too much into China setting up embassy: Maldives

Sandeep Dikshit
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Foreign Minister assures safety of Indians working in the multi-island country

A few days after an Indian was beaten up and robbed in Male, Maldives Foreign Minister Abdul Samad Abdullah assured his interlocutors here of his government's willingness to ensure the safety of an estimated 23,000 Indians working in far-flung territories of the multi-island country.

However, Mr. Abdullah, speaking to The Hindu at a time when the Maldives is in the middle of a political stalemate of sorts, called upon strategic analysts not to drag his country into their vision of an India-China rivalry playing out in the Indian Ocean, because “we are too small.”

The Minister also spoke of anti-corruption investigations into the money spent for the SAARC summit, the emptying of the Central Exchequer and liberal grant of islands which were subsequently sold to foreigners, all of which took place during the previous President Mohd. Nasheed's watch and could inflame political acrimony between his Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) and the others who have formed a unity government.

Mr. Abdullah gave the interview after meeting External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna and discussing the situation in his country with senior MEA officials. India has helped shore up Maldives foreign reserves and extended an agreement to supply essentials like pulses, vegetables and rice. It is also insisting that the warring parties settle their differences, preferably through polls towards the end of this year. Mr. Nasheed, who now says he didn't want to resign but was coerced into demitting office in February, is making efforts to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh but there has been no word so far from the PMO. “There are 23,000 Indians in the Maldives including doctors, teachers and nurses. They have been of tremendous help and obviously we will continue to have security arrangements,” Mr. Abdullah said, pointing out that after Mr. Nasheed ‘resigned' as President in February, the government did not change in technical terms. “It was just a change of the President. The policies of the government by and large towards international relations will continue as before.”
“Positive thing”

On Indian strategic analysts making much of China being the first non-South Asian country to open a mission in Male, the Minister's plea was plaintive — “It is not in the interest of Maldives to be pulled apart. We are too small for that,” he said while describing the opening of the embassy as a “positive thing.” Mr. Abdullah gave a down-to-earth explanation to those suggesting that the embassy was part of Beijing's ‘string of pearls' strategy to encircle India — “China you got to recognise is a superpower. It continues to have good ties with most countries including Russia and the U.S., so don't read anything more.”

The Minister was combative when contesting the claim that Mr. Nasheed had expressed his disappointment with India for recognising a new government despite his having “stuck his neck out” by signing unprecedented security agreements with New Delhi. “Security arrangements between the two countries were there before Mr. Nasheed was born. The first comprehensive security agreement was struck in 1974. Dosti, the joint military exercise, is 20 years old. Any training course that the top military brass in Maldives attended has been in India.”

Mr. Abdullah said: “If India has strengthened its security ties with Maldives, it is not because of Mr. Nasheed but because Maldives is located at a very important place where many superpowers will be taking interest. I would not say special security ties were developed because Mr. Nasheed was the President. Indians, I am sure, would not like to deal only with one faction of Maldivian politics.”
External debt

The Minister said the anti-corruption department was investigating why external debt ballooned to over 23 billion Maldivian rufiyaa, from 9 billion three years ago; the enormous sums spent on construction in a remote island for the SAARC summit; the hundreds of high salary-drawing political appointments; and the 400 islands allegedly given to MDP supporters for developing resorts.

“The government did not get anything from the grant of islands and shallow reefs, and these were sold to foreigners. Now how do we deal with the foreign buyers? Maldivian courts don't have the capacity. The Tourism Ministry is very upset because it wanted to make better use of the functioning 100 ones and another 60 that haven't been able to take off. We are investigating and so far there is no conclusive evidence. The whole idea is not to go to court or convict some people.”

Prem · Post by **Prem** » 24 Apr 2012 22:07

http://www.rediff.com/news/report/nashe ... 120423.htm
Nasheed meets PM, seeks early polls in Maldives

India [ Images ] hoped on Monday that engagement with all the stakeholders in Maldives [ Images ] will help bring stability there as former President Mohamed Nasheed met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [ Images ] in New Delhi [ Images ] to seek intervention to ensure early elections in his country.
Nasheed, who quit on February 7 in the wake of widespread protests and later claimed he was a victim of a coup, has been in New Delhi for nearly a week to garner support for elections in his country this year instead of next year as announced by the Maldivian government.During his meeting with Singh, he is understood to have impressed on the need for early elections and sought India's help in this regard."I will try to tell the Prime Minister why I think elections are necessary and I will seek his assistance in impressing the regime in Maldives on early elections," he had told PTI last week."India hopes that engagement with all the stakeholders in Maldives will facilitate a constructive dialogue among all the political parties and help in bringing stability to the country in line with the Roadmap of 16 February 2012 drawn up by the President of Maldives," the Ministry of External Affairs said.Nasheed had also met National Security Adviser Shivshanker Menon and Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai.The MEA also noted that India and Maldives enjoy very close and cordial relations. "We have extensive cooperation in a number of areas, including trade, investments, connectivity, health, tourism, defence, security, human resource and infrastructure development".The Coast Guards of the two countries would be carrying out annual joint exercise named 'DOSTI-XI' later this month, it said, adding India remains committed to further strengthening and expanding the multifaceted relationship with Maldives.

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 24 Apr 2012 22:24

There was a counter terror aspect of the visit. Maldivian, paki and Indian activists/terror suspects are interlinking and SIMI guys have moved to Maldives to wage their war there. The coast guard exercises are due to fEars of 26/11 type attacks originating from the south. It's a good move to double the strength of the ICG.

Nasheed is our man, if I was GoI I would covertly give paisa to Nasheed routing it through DXB or Mauritius. Make sure he wins. This will ensure loyalty towards India on a bigger scale. As after a coup intervention, the nation usually deepens cooperation on a large scale to ensure loyalty and payback.

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 26 Apr 2012 00:10

Post coup, cooperation continues with the Maldivian def min visiting in March

Just FYI for those interested in our national security:
Navy to set up new base in Lakshadweep

indianexpressAnil S

KOCHI: The Indian Navy, which is gradually building up capabilities across the island territories to meet the new world order, is all set to open its full-fledged shore unit at the Lakshadweep islands. The new operations base, INS Dweeprakshak, in Kavaratti island would be launched by the end of this month.

INS Dweeprakshak which would be under the Southern Naval Command (SNC) in Kochi, would be the second operations base of the Indian Navy in an island territory, after the one� based in Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal.

“Indian Navy took the decision to boost its coastal security initiatives after 26/11. Increased incidents of piracy in the Lakshadweep waters is another reason for setting up the base”, said the officials.

The new base is expected to be inaugurated on April 30. Presently the Navy has two detachments at Lakshadweep in Kavaratti and Minicoy islands under a Naval officer-in-charge of islands. The decision to have a full-fledged shore unit on the islands was taken more than a year ago, after increased presence of pirates was reported from this region.

Once fully operational, INS Dweeprakshak will have new aircraft, warships and helicopters operating from there along with other operational capabilities. Last year, Indian forces had thwarted a couple of pirate attacks near the Lakshadweep and Minicoy islands.

“It would be an independent establishment under the SNC. That will help in taking decisions on financial matters and administrative decisions,” sources said.

It’s pointed out that the new operations base would be effective in preventing intrusions to India’s Exclusive Economic Zone(EEZ) and secure country’s territorial waters. The island chain’s proximity with neighbouring nations like Maldives adds to the need for better sprucing up of security.

As part of its efforts to spruce up coastal security initiatives, the Indian Coast Guard had set up a new District Headquarters at Laksahdweep islands. It was only a week back that the Coast Guard had established one more station at Androth island.

Two days back the Southern Naval Command in association with Coast Guard District Headquarters No 12 at Kavarathi, organised the coastal security exercise ‘Neptune-05’ for the islands.

The Defence Minister had recently pointed out the need for securing the country’s island territories. The Centre has made special allocation for improving island security. The Ministry of Defence(MoD) is also setting up a chain of radar stations across the coastal boundaries of India for better surveillance. Lakshadweep islands will have four radar stations.

Rising jihad in Maldives

It was a concern that India has been speaking about ever since the 26/11 attacks took place and today the vice President of Maldives, Mohammad Waheed Hassan too has allayed the same fears.

Activity in Maldives over the past three years has been subtle, but steady. There is a gradual build up some Islamic forces and slowly the country is threatening to become one of the biggest breeding ground of terror for self styled jihadis after Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Does India have reason to worry? The answer would be yes and plenty. It is after all the radical section of the Students Islamic Movement of India which has infiltrated in large numbers into Maldives. Sources in the Indian Intelligence Bureau confirm this fact while stating that there has been a movement of some SIMI cadres into Maldives. They also say that there has been constant monitoring of the youth from Maldives who are coming into India.

The vice president of that country also made it clear that these youth who are mostly students are following a version of Islam which is very rigid. Sources say that he is most probably referring to the Wahabi style of the religion which is rigid and is being followed by the Al-Qaeda which does not believe in Dargah worship and also finds every solution in a bloody battle.

The common belief was that after the breaking down of the Students Islamic Movement of India there was a set of people in it who formed the Indian Mujahideen. While one section of SIMI did move on to become the IM, there was another set of radicals who preferred to infiltrate into Maldives in particular and start to wage a war over there. Police sources say that many in the SIMI network have gone out of the radar. There has been intelligence to show that many had set base in Maldives as they had found it to be a safe haven. Camps have been set up and it has become a major cadre collection point. Students who are hand picked by extremists outfits enter into Maldives quoting job and education as the reasons. While one point of their entry is on the radar after a couple of months they suddenly go missing.

From here the youth are sent to either Pakistan or Afghanistan where there are further radicalised, trained and prepared to wage a battle. India is sure on the radar of such extremists. There has been a lot of talk about how the Lashkar-e-Tayiba was setting up of its stronger bases in Maldives and would want to launch sea borne attacks from this country.

Maldives faces a herculean task today thanks to this phenomenon. Back in the year 2009 there was an Al-Qaeda video which was in circulation showing youth being indoctrinated for terror. The Al-Qaeda had been picking up Maldivian youth at that time to battle in Afghanistan and according to records in that year alone nearly 150 youth from Maldives had gone missing and later found to be fighting along side the Al-Qaeda.

The Lashkar on the other hand has been setting up camps. There has not been much to show that the youth from Maldives have been used to wage the Lashkar battle. The Lashkar in fact has played it along quite safely and inputs go on to suggest that they are going about their job in a slow and phased manner. The arrangement with Maldives which permitted their citizens to stay on in India for 90 days without a visa had proved to a boon for outfits such as SIMI and the Lashkar. A great deal of movement was seen at that time and the majority of it was reported from Kerala. According to sources, Lashkar and SIMI have been eying Maldives since the year 2007 when the Sultan Park blasts took place. It was a way of announcing their presence in Maldives and as per the investigation conducted on the basis of the statements made by Asif Ibrahim it was the Lashkar and the SIMI which undertook this attack. However the attack was not carried out in the name of either of these outfits but a shadow outfit by the name Jammat-e-Muslimeen was floated for this purpose. India also had the investigation report of a man by the name Inas Moosa who was associated with this outfit.

The Sultan Park blast according to the experts was a turning point. There was a major hunt down which was conducted post this attack and the police trail led to a mosque on Himendu where some of the militants were holed up. There was violence that followed and this in fact helped the recruitment’s surge. More on the investigations also pointed to the kind of influx there has been in this country which led to the bomb blast. There were Maldivians, Indians, Pakistanis and also Sri Lankans involved in this attack. This in fact is a testimony to show how much these radical elements prefer Maldives as a base.

According to the Intelligence Bureau, the Lashkar has had a very similar approach in Maldives as it did in both India and Pakistan. A shadow organisation by the name Idara Khidmat-e-Khalq considered to be a front for the Lashkar was sent into Maldives to help the Tsunami victims in the year 2004. Since that there has been activity in the country and the results of the same we see today.

Apart from recruitment’s the Lashkar has concentrated on getting SIMI cadres and also youth from various other South Asian countries to set up a very strong base in Maldives. The Islands give them a perfect launching pad and the 26/11 attack did prove that a sea borne attack could be deadly. Reports would suggest that from India alone the Lashkar has possibly used the services of nearly a 1000 youth to set up base camps in Maldives.

Glad security cooperation continues with Maldives.

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 15 May 2012 00:09

Maldives-India commence naval operation

Hussain Fiyaz Moosa, Haveeru Online
May 14, 2012 - 12:14

The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has commenced a joint operation with the Indian Navy to monitor the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Maldives.

According to MNDF an Indian Navy ship, Coast Guard’s Huravee Launch and Shaheed Ali ship will participate in the operation.

During the five day operation the Indian Navy and the Coast Guard will monitor the Maldives’ territorial waters for any illegal activity and take action if any are detected.

Previously “Tri-lateral joint exercise dosti – 11” operation was also held between the Maldives, India and Sri Lanka.

pgbhat · Post by **pgbhat** » 17 May 2012 21:35

Not sure if it is a repost... but here goes.

A Coup Made in India?

“There is big money at play, estimated to be $25 million, which was distributed among the rank and file of [the Maldives’] army and police to rebel against [ousted Maldives President] Nasheed. Some money came from [former dictator] Gayoom’s half brother and People’s Alliance Leader Abdulla Yamin. He transferred several thousand US dollars from Colombo to some army and police officials by way of travellers’ cheques… [The Indian High Commissioner] Mulay definitely does not operate like a high commissioner. I have heard, but I am not sure, that Mulay had a meeting at Paradise Island Resort with coup leaders two days before it happened. I am sure that Abdulla Yamin was in Mulay’s office right from 8:45 in the morning, on 7 February, when the coup was happening”

~ REEKO MOOSA MANIKU, chairman of the Maldivian Democratic Party, which was ousted in the coup

“I was surprised that instead of contacting us, the government [of Maldives], Mulay was having a discussion with opposition party leaders like Yamin in the Indian High Commission [in Male, the country’s capital] when the coup was happening. In a situation like this, why call the opposition and not establish contact with the government? I believe that proper information was not passed on to Indian authorities. Before this happened, I never suspected [any conspiracy]. We were very close”

~ AMEEN FAISAL, national security advisor to ousted Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed

nawabs · Post by **nawabs** » 23 Jun 2012 11:24

MALDIVES: Current Situation is Disturbing

http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/papers ... r5085.html

For a small place like Maldives, current developments should be cause for concern to the neighbouring countries and particularly India.

For an observer from outside it looks that a "battle royal" is going on between the Government, its security forces and the civil service including the judiciary on one side and the opposition led by the ousted former President Mohamed Nasheed on the other.

Added to this is the excessive enthusiasm of the security forces shown on behalf of the government and this has only made the law and order situation worse. One girl from opposition who was affected in an offensive of the Police termed the behaviour of the security forces as "animalistic." The opposition is still able to muster a crowd of 5000 anytime to oppose the government policies. The forces faced stiff opposition when the structures made by the MDP in the meeting ground at Usfasgandu were being dismantled and the High court order stopping the demolition came too late!

On the economic front, Maldives is the only country in this region that has not seen an increase in tourist arrivals this year. Inflation on an average is about 15.99 percent and the budget deficit is projected to go up by 27 percent of the GDP. In order to please certain sections the government is forced to subsidise and there is also an increase in capital expenditure on government institutions. There is also a drop in government income by 23 percent. The most recent case is the attempt to placate the media by giving government notifications and announcements which the President says is necessary for the media to survive!

President Waheed is digging his heels. He made the most shocking statement that he does not have to resign even if it is proved that there was a "coup" unless his involvement in the coup was established. If Nasheed’s ouster was found to be illegal even then he can continue as the "Maldivian laws " do not permit any change! So he says. What a stand for Stanfordian who has seen many UN jobs? Apparently he is enjoying the power which he would not be doing but for a quirk of circumstances!

Clearly, President Waheed has consolidated his position. But this has been possible only because as one observer said, by sacrificing his powers to appease the coalition partners, who have but for a few hiccups appear to stay in contact so far. But this may not last long. Gayoom is still seen to be guiding the country from behind. The current approach of the government to use religious paranoia and the security forces to break the rallies has the foot prints of Gayoom!

Will the coalition stay in tact when we see differences erupting between the DQP and the DRP and between DRP and the PPM? Will Waheed have presidential ambitions for another full term? One cannot say now as that would depend on what former President Gayoom wants to do. There are also other ambitious persons who were directly or indirectly responsible for ousting Nasheed. Gasim is one. Nothing is heard of Yameen, Gayoom’s step brother. Would Dr. Hassan Saeed who is playing the second fiddle by ‘advising’ and contributing his thoughts in the local papers regularly be happy to be in the same position in the next elections?

What I am surprised is that India has been completely outwitted and outmaneuvered. ( This has happened in Sri Lanka too)

The Indian-sponsored talks on road map is moving slowly after many hiccups. The agenda consisted of six items in the order of 1. Public order and stability 2. State Budget Concerns 3. Independence of national institutions 4. Identification and revision of laws. 5. Constitutional amendments 6. Setting a date for early elections.

Discussion was more on thirty points put forth by the government side which consisted mostly of "don’ts" and the talks obviously have not progressed at all.

Setting a date for early elections is the last priority though India wanted this to be given top priority. President Waheed and more than he, Gayoom’s daughter Dunya has repeatedly said that elections cannot be held without constitutional amendments. The earliest date will be July 2013 and whatever India may want or say privately, President Waheed as advised by Gayoom is not going to hold the elections anytime sooner.

Gayoom claimed a month ago that "international calls for early elections have grown faint" and was not an issue anymore!

President Waheed claimed after his five-day visit to India that the Indian Government is with him. He did play lip service for early elections to please the Indian hosts, though earlier he had categorically declared that the next elections will be only in July 2013. He succeeded in persuading India to give an additional standby credit of 20 (25?) Million dollars and roll over for one year of the SBI Treasury bonds of US $ 50 million.

On the other hand, the Commonwealth Action Group (CMAG) succeeded in forcing the government before the deadline to expand the membership of the National Enquiry Commission (CNI) to include one foreign Judge from Singapore and one nominee by Nasheed. The government had put almost impossible conditions on the nomination by Nasheed. Finally just before the deadline and after many rejections one name was accepted. The revised membership of the Commission was announced on the 18th.

But before the new revised commission could start functioning, the government released a 283-point "time line" for the information of the public. This was most unfair and it is not clear who is advising President Waheed to do this. The MDP soon after published a detailed report giving specific names of individuals in the conspiracy that led to the ouster of former President Nasheed. Now the government is harassing the whistle blowers including the chief of intelligence for exposing the members of the security forces.

This has been followed by another report by Maria Ahmed Didi of the MDP naming President Waheed specifically for his involvement in toppling the elected government of Nasheed. Maria says that she has taken the points only from the time line given by the government!

What we see is a complete breakdown in the relations between the government now in power and the opposition MDP that has a sizeable following. The fight is getting bitter and the "report war" is the latest. Both sides are moving ahead vehemently giving no space for reconciliation. This is a very disturbing trend.

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 16 Sep 2012 22:04

India announces new measures to boost Maldivian defence

Published: Sunday, Sep 16, 2012, 21:48 IST
By Ibrahim Manik | Place: Male | Agency: PTI

India on Sunday announced a slew of measures to boost Maldivian defence capabilities covering aerial and naval surveillance to counter the common threat posed by terrorism and piracy, amid China's efforts to gain foothold in the region.

Defence Minister AK Antony assured Maldives that it can count on India as a sincere friend while his Maldivian counterpart stressed that change of governments will not impact the traditional friendship between the two countries.

Antony, who is in Maldives on a three-day visit, inaugurated 'Senahiya', a military hospital built with Indian assistance, and also held a high-level meeting with his Maldivian counterpart Colonel (Retd) Mohamed Nazim today.

During the meeting it was conveyed that India has decided to extend the deployment of its ALH Dhruv Helicopter here by two more years and gave assurance for trying to fulfill the requirement for an additional chopper for medical evacuations purposes.

For enhancing and streamlining dialogue process in area of military cooperation, India has also decided to station a Defence Attache here, besides supporting the construction of Maldivian National Defence Force (MNDF) building.

"Defence Minister AK Antony conveyed the government's decision to position the ALH Dhruv helicopter, handed over by India in 2010, for a further period of two years beyond April 2012. He also informed that the chopper has been upgraded with night flying capabilities during its recent overhaul," a Defence Ministry Spokesperson said.

Antony's visit comes at a time when China is increasing its influence in the Maldives, which is of strategic importance to India.

"India has always considered its relation with Maldives as very special," Antony said while inaugurating the military hospital, described by Nazim as the Indian minister's 'dream project'.

"India is proud of our partnership and engagement with Maldives and deeply value the friendship of the people of Maldives. Maldives can always count on India as a sincere friend," Antony said.

In a rare honour, the defence minister was also accorded the Guard of Honour, that is reserved for the head of states.

For training defence personnel of Maldivian Air Wing, a team of qualified Flying Instructors will be deputed in the Maldives and the helicopter pilots will be provided the simulator training at the Hindustan Aeronautical Limited (HAL) facility in Bangalore, the spokesperson said.

During the meeting the two sides decided to maintain close cooperation in unitedly fighting against challenges of terrorists and non-state actors, the spokesperson added.

"The Maldives will stand side-by-side with India to ensure maritime security in Indian Ocean and maintain stability in the region; and above all, the threats that our two countries face, particularly from terrorist groups and other non-state actors are eliminated," Col Nazim said.

"Governments will change both in the Maldives and India. Yet, the enduring friendship that exists between the two countries will only improve and expand," he said.

The two sides appreciated efforts made by Indian Naval ships and aircraft in providing surveillance of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), on a monthly basis, in view of the incidents of piracy occurring close to Maldives and Lakshadweep and Minicoy islands in India.

Apart from mutually agreed schedule, India is providing assistance for EEZ surveillance on specific requests made by Maldivian defence forces.

On Male's request for help in smooth functioning and operation of its naval fleet and training of personnel, India has decided to position an Indian Navy Afloat Support Team (INAST) there for a period of one year.

brihaspati · Post by **brihaspati** » 17 Sep 2012 06:45

Wonderful. With the continuing islamization in Maldives, and no attempt at checking the mullahcracy movement steadily being allowed to take control over social life - India will be training people in its own tech who might very well in the future share that skill with the islamists.

krisna · Post by **krisna** » 11 Oct 2012 23:08

Former Maldives president flees trial in boat

Mohamed Nasheed, the first elected leader of the Maldives, defied a summons and left the capital on Monday despite a travel ban, forcing a court to postpone his trial.

Mr Nasheed, 45, said at the weekend that he did not expect a fair hearing in a case that could see him jailed or banished to a remote island and barred from future elections.

nawabs · Post by **nawabs** » 18 Nov 2012 17:51

Diplomatic row erupts between India, Maldives

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/d ... 087488.ece

India and Maldives were involved in a diplomatic row over intemperate remarks made against the Indian High Commissioner by the spokesperson to the Maldivian President which was described by the envoy as against diplomatic protocol.

In a damage-control exercise later, a statement posted on the official website of Maldivian President Mohamed Waheed said the government of Maldives disassociates itself from the remarks made by Abbas Adil Riza and some other government officials, saying they did not reflect the views of the government.

The remarks were made by Mr. Adil Riza at a rally where he called Dnyaneshwar Mulay a “traitor” and “an enemy of Maldives“.

The rally was organised by the “23rd December alliance” on Friday night to protest against the leasing of Ibrahim Nasir International Airport to Indian infrastructure major GMR by the government of former President Mohamed Nasheed. The alliance was born out of opposition by some parties to Mr. Nasheed.

“A diplomat’s job is to work for his country and people and not to protect the interests of one private company...He is a traitor and enemy of Maldives and Maldivian people. We don’t want these kind of diplomats on our soil.” Mr. Riza, a political appointee, said striking an aggressive posture.

In a statement, the Indian High Commission said High Commissioner Mulay has condemned the remarks of the spokesperson to President Waheed, asserting it was “against diplomatic protocol“.

Mr. Mulay also said that the government of Maldives has been told that settling issues of huge mutual interest cannot be done on public space or on stage.

Noting that the new Government in Maldives has raised some issues particularly in respect of GMR, the High Commission said they can be addressed through negotiations and if talks fail this country could go ahead with arbitration.

“The whole thing is in arbitration stage. If arbitration fails they (GMR and the government of Maldives) could find mutually accepted recourse either by going to the court of law or may be finding other mechanism available.

“We have told the government of Maldives that settling issues of huge mutual interest cannot be done on public space or on stage. This has to be done through discussion.” the statement said.

The statement said it was also notable in this regard that President of Maldives on assumption of charge in 2012 gave an assurance to India and subsequently during his visit to New Delhi he assured Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that all the Indian investments, including the GMR, which happened to be the largest foreign investor in the country, will be protected and safeguarded.

“Similarly, all the agreements signed by the previous governments would also be safeguarded as such we have expressed our concern in very strong words to the government of Maldives. And we have also conveyed that India would safeguard the country’s interest, including these related to our investment,” it added.

The statement said the Indian government has on regular basis engaged the Maldivian government on all issues of mutual interest.

“Our relations have been very strong and lot of goodwill have been invested in it. India is the largest investment partner, India is the largest technical and capacity building partner. India’s trade, aid and development partnership is also the biggest one,” it added.

“The Government of Maldives disassociates itself from the remarks made by the Spokesperson of the President’s Office Mr.Abbas Adil Riza, and some other government officials, at a gathering held last evening against the involvement of GMR in the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport,” said a statement posted on the official website of the Maldives President.

“The gathering was organised by some political parties including some members of the public. The views expressed at the gathering by Mr.Abbas Adil Riza, though his own views, are regrettable, and do not reflect the views of the Government of Maldives particularly those made against the Indian High Commissioner to the Maldives Mr.D.M.Mulay,” it said.

brihaspati · Post by **brihaspati** » 19 Nov 2012 02:46

What happened to all the cooperation, post-coup continued bilateral relations, educational initiatives - and "no no Islamists are merely a threat - they are not strong enough" brouhaha?

sooraj · Post by **sooraj** » 28 Nov 2012 08:17

Indian US$25 million budget support loan delayed after Maldives fails to complete paperwork

http://minivannews.com/politics/indian- ... work-47954

Tweets were being circulated speculating that a Chinese intermediary was prepared to pay for the contract termination and take over the airport development.

.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 28 Nov 2012 08:21

India to take up GMR issue with Male - Sandeep Dikshit in The Hindu

The government reacted strongly to the decision of the Maldives government to terminate the agreement with the GMR Group by promising to pursue the issue with Male as it thought politics had intruded into what was a purely commercial matter.

Even as several political parties opposed to ousted Maldivian President Mohd. Nasheed, during whose tenure GMR won the airport management contract, have been calling for its cancellation for quite some time, New Delhi pinned its hopes on elections slated towards the middle of next year to cool tempers.

No option

The cancellation of the contract, the single biggest in Maldives for one of the fastest growing airport in the region, appeared to have left the government with no option but to react sharply.

The Maldivian Foreign Minister’s recent visit a few days ago, ostensibly for medical treatment, had failed to resolve the issue of many in the government seeking the cancellation of the contract. Vigorous reasoning by ousted President Nasheed’s Maldivian Democractic Party stalwarts such as Zaki too could not avert the cancellation.

While promising to remain engaged with the government of Maldives on this issue, Foreign Office spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said New Delhi expected Male to “ fulfil all legal processes and requirements in accordance with the relevant contracts and agreement it has concluded with GMR in this regard.”

Pointing out that investment by GMR-Malaysian Airports joint venture was the single largest foreign direct investment in the history of Maldives, Mr. Akbaruddin felt the unilateral termination of the contract with GMR would send a very negative signal to foreign investors and the international community.

He also noted the contract to manage the Male International Airport was finalised after a global tender vetted by a World Bank affiliate which had said the process complied with Maldivian laws and regulations.

The Foreign Office said the government proposes to monitor the situation in Maldives closely and is prepared to take “all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of its interests and its nationals in the Maldives.”

Meanwhile, the company said it would keep the airport running and regretted that the decision was taken. Arbitration proceedings were on in Singapore.

We are therefore taking all measures to ensure the safety of our employees and safeguard our assets. We are confident that the stand of the company will be vindicated in every way,” said a company statement.