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Maldives has decided to hand over the management of 28 islands to India. Now it will be the responsibility of the Government of India to work on and maintain water supply and sewerage projects on these 28 islands. Maldives President Mohammed Muizzu himself has announced this. He posted on social media. He wrote that, it was nice to meet Dr. S. Jaishankar on the occasion of officially handing over the projects related to water and sewerage in 28 islands of Maldives. I would like to thank the Government of India and especially Prime Minister Narendra Modi for always helping the Maldives.
There are about 1190 islands in Maldives, out of which only 200 islands are inhabited. There are 150 islands here which have been developed for tourism. Now the situation is going to be such that the management of 28 out of 200 islands will be in the hands of India. After PM Modi's visit to Lakshadweep and the tense relations between Maldives and India, this new agreement between the two countries may hurt India's opponents, but at a time when the India-backed government has been deposed in Bangladesh, this is an important matter. There is good news for India's diplomacy in this regard.
Why did Muizu hand over the 28 islands?
However, people may wonder why Muizu handed over the management of 28 islands to India just for water and sewage? Actually, Maldives has strict rules regarding waste disposal for hotels and resorts. Waste segregation is mandatory for hotels and resorts. Solid waste is sent to Thillapushi Island, where it is incinerated. Hotels and resorts have to ensure that their waste is properly packed and labeled so that it can be safely transported to Thillapushi.
The main dumping ground in Maldives is Thilafushi Island, often known as 'Garbage Island'. The island is about 7 km from Male. It was developed as a landfill in the 1990s, after which garbage from other islands of Maldives is collected and dumped at Thilafushi. India provides technology and financial assistance to Maldives for waste disposal.
Jaishankar's visit causes a stir in China!
China kept a close eye on Foreign Minister S Jaishankar's three-day visit to Maldives. China's state-run newspaper Global Times wrote that Chinese experts have said that China does not want special relations or cooperation with Maldives, while India presents China as a threat to its dominance in the region. However, China's state-run newspaper's monitoring of S Jaishankar's visit shows that China is struggling but failing to spoil relations between India and Maldives.
However, diplomatic experts have a question in their minds as to why Muizhu, who prefers China over India, is looking towards India again. Actually, President Muizhu is not getting as much help from China as he is getting, so he is looking towards India again.
How will China be surrounded?
When Muizzu was elected President of Maldives, he went on a tour of anti-India countries. Turkey and China were also included in this. During his China tour, Muizzu announced to hand over his 36 islands to China. At that time China had talked about investing Rs 1200 crore. When this deal was done between China and Maldives, India started getting worried.
India feels that if China has any influence on these islands, its security will be a big challenge. India started looking for a solution through diplomacy. Foreign Minister Jaishankar's arrival in Maldives was a part of this. India has been repeatedly telling Maldives that if we leave you, you will drown. It is India's victory that out of the 36 islands that China got for Rs 1200 crore, India is getting 28 islands for Rs 923 crore.
Maldives is a key partner of India in the Indian Ocean region. It is at the core of India's Neighbourhood First policy. Maldives is one of India's largest trading partners. Tourism in Maldives is completely dependent on India.