Role of India in Shaping Maldives Politics

Editorial

A.S.I.Moosa (Sappe’), Dhivehi Observer, 29 March 2005

India has always been there for us in our times of need. India came and rescued us from the turmoil of November 3^rd coup attempt in 1988. India came and rescued several Maldivians and tourists after the tsunami. They subsequently played a major role in the relief efforts as well. India provides Maldives with vital human resources and has been a hub of business for many Maldivians. India is also one of the most frequently visited countries for Maldivians seeking medical or educational opportunities.

India is our big brother and if history teaches us anything we have to admit that and be thankful to them for being there for us. As our closest neighbour and one of the most powerful countries in the region, we are blessed with this friendship. Some might say that India is so kind to us because of Gayyoom but that is absolute rubbish. The relationship is between the people of India and the people of Maldives represented by the respective government.

Gayyoom has been in power for nearly 3 decades now. During this time, several governments have come and gone in India. That is because India is the world’s largest democracy and elections are free and fair. In India there is press freedom and rule of law, there is a civil society. Maldives has nothing of that sort and hence Gayyoom has been able to rule the country like an absolute dictator. It is an irony that Gayyoom has to seek assistance from a democratic country and dismiss party politics as a divisive tool when it is proven in India that multi-party democracy is not a diving force but a uniting force. India is one of the largest countries in terms of population as well as geography. India has numerous groups of people with different religions and traditions but still democracy has spread its roots in India irreversibly. Hence, Gayyoom’s decade long argument that democracy and party politics will divide our people is nothing but jargon that he uses to oppress us and maintain his absolute power.

The people of Maldives want to be free from tyranny and dictatorship. We want democracy, freedom and rule of law. Surely, India cannot turn a blind eye to these aspirations. Being such a powerful country and such a close friend of the Maldives, India is the one country that can pressure Gayyoom to introduce reform without conditions and influence. It is in India’s interest to make the dreams of the Maldivians a reality. With a democratic government, with rule of law and transparency, Maldives could prosper into a useful friend of India, contributing to each others well being, socially and economically.