China behind scrapped Maldives-GMR deal?

China behind scrapped Maldives-GMR deal?

Bharti Jain TNN

NewDelhi:China’s growing ties with the Maldives, blamed discreetly for the scrapped GMR airport deal, may be part of its larger scheme to dominate the strategically-important sea lanes of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), according to an assessment of the Indian intelligence agencies. Beijing is reportedly wooing Male to pre-empt a US move to set up a new military base in the Maldives’ southernmost island of Gan.
    Incidentally, though the ministry of external affairs was rather discreet about the involvement of a ‘foreign hand’ in the GMR episode, intelligence assessments coming in from Male are more upfront in outlining fears of a China factor.
    Gan, a tourist destination in Addu Atoll that also has an international airport, is considered safe for deep anchorage. The US, sources in the Indian security establishment told TOI, has evinced interest in the former British naval and air force base in Gan for servicing its naval fleet, launching surveillance operations and routing military supplies. This is in sync with US President Barack Obama's “pivot towards Asia” policy.
    Though the Americans have an existing military base in Diego Garcia — also in the Indian Ocean — its 50-year-old lease will expire in 2016. The lease pact for the British-controlled island allows its renegotiation for another 20 years, but with the UK favourably inclined to granting the Mauritian government’s demand for sovereignty and resettlement of the native population, the Americans are said to be eyeing an equally strategic alternative site.
    Gan — a Royal Navy base during World War II, then with the Royal Air Force (RAF) base during the Cold War and ultimately vacated by the RAF in 1971 – reportedly fits the bill.
    But with China aspiring to overtake the US as the global superpower in the long run, the Indian intelligence establishment feels it can ill-afford growing American military interests in the IOR waters. Proximity to the Maldives, intelligence reports with New Delhi have pointed out, will not only help Beijing pre-empt the US move but also realize its dream of setting up its own military base in the region.
    The increasing Chinese footprint in the Maldives was evident when it was allotted prime land to open its embassy in Male a couple of months ago. A massive $500 million loan was extended by the Chinese around the same time. A recent statement by former Maldivian president, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, that “China has been with us for 40 years” and that it was “natural for a country with such huge resources to come and help us” indicates Beijing’s growing importance to the Maldives vis-a-vis traditional ally India.
    Just three months ahead of the GMR deal was scrapped, Maldivian president Mohamed Waheed, who replaced Mohamed Nausheed in a `coup’ in February, paid his maiden visit to China, extolling the latter’s approach towards “small countries” and its policy of non-interference in their internal affairs “unlike other influential nations”. Though Waheed did not take names, his statement was seen as directed against India. Earlier this week, Maldivian defence minister Mohamed Nazim and his Chinese counterpart Liang Guanglie vowed to strengthen military ties during the former's Beijing visit.