India read the riot act to the Maldives this weekend over the derogatory tweets on Prime Minister Narendra Modi by three Maldivian deputy ministers, leading to their suspension by the newly installed Mohamed Muizzu government. Indians on social media flew into a rage, with Bollywood – whose divas gave us new lessons in how to enjoy a holiday during the Covid-19 pandemic as they shed their clothes on Maldives’ beaches – joining the anti-Maldives campaign.
It is likely that Indian officials used strong language in private conversations with their Maldivian counterparts. The three Maldivian ministers, two of them women, obviously crossed a red line when they personally criticised Modi. One called him a clown and another used a derisive emoji.
What is much worse is that they have brought the India-Maldives relationship to its knees, leaving little or no room for diplomatic manoeuvre.
Muizzu is probably keeping in close touch with the goings-on from his perch in Beijing, where he is travelling right now. The China trip was supposed to be his diplomatic coming-out, where he would have underlined his independence from the “India First” policy of the previous Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) governments – both by his predecessor Ibrahim Solih as well as earlier, by Mohamed Nasheed.
Muizzu was supposed to be different – at any rate, he thought he was.
The reality is a little different. The current fiasco is not just an important lesson in how not to unnecessarily insult another country with your foolishness, it also illustrates the enormous clout India can exercise if it wants to.
Then there is the uncomfortable truth lurking behind the silver lining of every cloud – the smaller states of South Asia are enormously dependent on New Delhi. They cannot cry “shushu” or uncle in Mandarin every time they perceive a problem with India.
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Friendly nation’s bad behaviour
For the tiny Maldives to behave as badly as Pakistan has often done is bad enough. But for the island nation to do so without any reason at all is not just unbelievable, it’s mind-boggling. Why would it cut off its nose to spite its face?
This is simply not about India turning the other cheek, as we believe it should do when its smaller neighbours say or do something really silly – like a big sister, India should just laugh things off. Nor is this about the infamous arrogance of Indian officials who believe they are somehow better than those in these countries in South Asia.
In this particular case, Modi was travelling – and snorkelling and walking – on the paradise island of Lakshadweep last week. He never said a word about the Maldives. He didn’t have to. He wasn’t going abroad. He was in his own country.
Of course, there are lots of things wrong with the manner in which New Delhi conducts itself with several nations – the US, Russia, and China, just to name a few. But none of those issues – not one – is seen in its dealings with the Maldives. In fact, the relationship with the Maldives has mostly been a charmed one in India’s foreign policy. So, what happened now?
The worst-case scenario is that Muizzu was “in” on the campaign to insult Modi and India but he outsourced it to three junior ministers. That seems somewhat improbable, so we can let that theory go quickly.
Muizzu may be a devout Muslim, but he cannot fail to see that Modi excites the admiration of several foreign Muslim leaders – such as from Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Egypt– even if he is not so popular with the Muslim community at home in India.
The second is that the three young ministers, Maryam Shiuna, Malsha Sharif and Mahzoom Majid, got so carried away by their dislike for Modi that they felt it was fine to vent their feelings on social media. Perhaps they had said as much in the past in private and not been reprimanded. Perhaps they felt they would get away with it again and burnish their credentials with their Right-wing constituents.
Such behaviour is common in states that are not secular. The Maldivians are islanders, which means that they have been buffeted by winds carrying boats and ships which, in turn, bring people with all kinds of ideas in their heads. However, if you enter the Maldives today, it is astounding to find a notice on the back of the immigration arrival card prohibiting the carrying of idols in your baggage.
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Islamic fundamentalism
So, I’m thinking: It’s okay for you to want my money on your gorgeous pleasure isles, but it’s not acceptable for me to bring my worshipping objects into your country? That kind of hypocrisy is problematic and Maldivians must see it for what it is.
The reason I bring the example of the idol ban in the Maldives into this argument is simply to illustrate the perils of Islamic fundamentalism. When you begin to believe that no other religion is as good as yours, then you’re on the slippery slope that says, I’m better than you. And therefore, I can say what I want to you.
Tie this in with the “India Out” campaign that Muizzu’s party ran before the elections and you have all the ingredients of the third scenario – we can do without India. And therefore, we have the right to insult India’s PM.
Muizzu probably understands by now that the reality is a little different. That he can get as much aid and as many tourists as he wants from China but India will always be the primary and more important neighbour. From drinking water to tourism, India stands at the head of the queue.
Maldivians should understand that just as India needs the Maldives – whether to study the sea bed, to eavesdrop on Chinese ships via the radar system installed in islands near the Equator, or to consolidate its influence across South Asia – the Maldives needs India as much, if not more.
Both sides must recognise that this symbiotic relationship must be respected by all. It would be a good sign if Muizzu sacks his three silly ministers, they certainly don’t bring him any good press. And they should personally apologise to Modi for their bad behaviour.
Unlike love, friendship means that it is important to say sorry when you’re in the wrong.
Jyoti Malhotra is founder-editor of Awaaz South Asia web platform. She tweets @jomalhotra. Views are personal.
(Edited by Ratan Priya)