Fears that Indian military assistance to the Maldives government would be misused by the latter to crush pro-democracy activism in the country have been proved right by the recent crackdown on opposition activists. Scores of activists from the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) were arrested last Wednesday, while they were travelling by boat to participate in a rally (it was subsequently called off) in the capital Male. The boat was chased and its occupants harassed for over a day by the coast guard and police.

Among the naval craft involved in the operation was a 260-tonne fast patrol vessel, Huravee, earlier Indian Naval Ship (INS) Tillanchang. INS Tillanchang was gifted by India to the Maldives in April this year. According to India’s Ministry of Defence, the ship “would primarily be used (by the Maldives government) for patrolling, policing and search and rescue missions in the vast areas of sea around Maldivian chain of islands, considerably enhancing their capability against illegal poaching and drug trafficking.”

But INS Tillanchang was deployed last week not against drug traffickers, but unarmed passengers and activists demanding democratic reform in the Maldives. Cooperation between India and the Maldives goes back several decades. In 1988, in response to a request from the Maldivian government, India rushed its security forces to crush a coup attempt against President Maumoon Gayoom. India has provided Maldives with several armoured cars and other military equipment.

While India’s military supplies to the Maldives is aimed at keeping the archipelago under its influence – Delhi is keen to limit Pakistani or Chinese influence here – it has become obvious, especially in recent years, that Gayoom is using Indian equipment to unleash violence on his critics.

Challenging times

Gayoom’s autocratic rule is under challenge today. The MDP is demanding that he deliver on his promise to introduce constitutional and democratic reforms. It wants him to set up a multi-party government ahead of fresh elections.

Gayoom accuses radical elements in the MDP of plotting to overthrow his government. Hundreds of activists have been imprisoned. The media has been muzzled. Armoured vehicles provided by India are being deployed to crackdown on demonstrations.



The silencing act

Gayoom has sought to silence international criticism of his suppression of the pro-democracy activists by describing MDP members as criminals and militants. He maintains that opening up of political system would be used by Islamists to impose a narrow version of Islam on the Maldives. Indian officials say they aren’t buying into this argument especially since Maldivian Muslims are moderate by and large. However, political instability is cause for concern as it could attract jihadis – especially those from Pakistan - to take sanctuary in the Maldives.

India sees Gayoom as a friend in the region. But backing him in the present circumstances is not in India’s interests. In the eyes of the Maldivian people, it is India’s support that is encouraging Gayoom to hang on to power. It is Indian military muscle that Gayoom is using to suppress them.

India’s concern regarding political instability in the Maldives is understandable. After all, the archipelago lies at India’s southern doorstep. But Gayoom’s strategy is facilitating greater instability. His blocking of democratic channels for articulation of grievances will leave those seeking change in the system with no alternative but the gun.

Besides, he is eliminating the secular democratic opposition, paving the way for the emergence of Islamist hardliners as a force to reckon with in the political arena. The political situation is in danger of turning explosive and Gayoom is responsible for this. India has had a proud record of supporting democratic movements in the neighbourhood. But this record has been sullied by its recent backing of the monarchy in Nepal. And now it is looking the other way while an aged autocrat in the Maldives unleashes repression. India’s support to Gayoom is not just unprincipled, it is imprudent.