US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke by phone on Thursday, with an unfolding political crisis in Maldives on top of their agenda.
The president of the Indian Ocean nation, Abdulla Yameen, declared a 15-day state of emergency after his refusal to comply with a Supreme Court decision last week to free political opposition leaders. The showdown escalated this week when Supreme Court judges and other political opponents were arrested.
While there is support among some circles in New Delhi for sending troops to the island, Modi’s administration has not made any decision to intervene with force.
As envoys for the Yameen administration have been sent to China, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, the US joined India in condemning the political crackdown.
“President Yameen has systematically alienated his coalition, jailed or exiled every major opposition political figure, [and] deprived elected members of Parliament of their right to represent their voters in the legislature,” a statement from the US State Department said.
While the crisis in Maldives “seemed to be the point of the call” on Thursday, according to the Hindustan Times, little on the issue was included in the readout, except that the two leaders “expressed concern.”
Trump and Modi also discussed Afghanistan, a country at the center of India’s rivalry with Pakistan, where New Delhi has recently increased foreign aid. The US has stepped up operations there in recent days, after Washington’s decision early this year to cut aid to Pakistan.
During the phone call, the two leaders made a point of pledging “to continue working together to enhance security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region,” according to the White House readout. The term “Indo-Pacific,” now used by the US as an alternative to Asia-Pacific, is seen as an attempt to increase India’s clout as a counterbalance to China’s regional influence.
किरण जंग कुँवर Speaking of Congress appealing to Pakistanis. Your logic is totally flawed. Pakistan is not a major power to oversee security over India. On the other hand, we are a major power in Asia. We oversee the security of Bhutan, for instance. Open your eyes, our courageous standing up to China is the reason why small countries bullied by it feel safe. That’s also why we have military agreements with them.
Ahmed Nazeem We made 11 of our states and U/Ts ODF in just 3 years, so kindly don’t lecture us about toilets. I really am amazed at how foreigners lecture us about sanitation when they don’t get their facts straight.
Ahmed Ismail I like your ignorance. Having ties with China is totally up to you, OK? But just as China has used Sri Lanka and Venezuela for its personal gains (and is doing the same with Pakistan now), it will use and dump Maldives as well. We leave the rest to you.
Ahmed Ismail Threat, huh? We threatened you with troops? Are you crazy? When we did it in 1988, did we ever try to grab anything you had? The troops are only meant for freeing the opposition leaders. Whether you like it or not, India IS a major power in Asia, and it has its role as a regional security provider. Why else do you think other Asian countries are allowing India to use their military facilities? Seychelles recently allowed us to build military infrastructure on one of its islands. Oman and Singapore gave us access to their startegic naval ports. I don’t know why the crisis in Maldives should affect the overall security of a region as large as Asia, but if the major powers in Asia think it does, very well then. They are more professional about external affairs than we commoners are, after all.
किरण जंग कुँवर Having people like you in the government is the reason why India doesn’t progress fast. Hello, this is the 21st century. The world is more interconnected than ever before. We have to manage both types of situations, within boundaries and outside boundaries, simultaneously. This all boring talk of first looking inside is too outdated. We will look inside, sure, but we cannot ignore what goes on outside, understood?
Abhishek Bhattarai Two things. One, this would not be an invasion. And another, speaking of the USA not being able to invade North Korea. It is because the rogue regime would not hesitate to use nukes against its allies like South Korea and Japan, where the US has its own troops stationed. China might seem to be a threat when it comes to invading North Korea but it is not, especially when China is itself not impressed with NK’s actions.
The US takes action even without consent and hardly anyone is able to do much except fret about it.
Ahmed Ismail Maldives & Laksha -Insha Ilsands were ruled by Arrakal Kingdom of Kerala
Why do not you just bother about your internal problems. Better ally with US to tackle with your rape problems. Make your country safe for your daughters, sisters, mothers and aunties etc. Get some funds from US to build more toilets to ladies, give Kashmiri people their rights. Why are you so afraid to go for a vote in the Kashmir whether to stay with India or declare Independence or to jojn Parkistan.
It seems it gets going with some grounds — to exercise balance of power on the part of India and to sustain regional power for US.
Maldives was historically part of India
Mr.Kaal Rohit Mehra ..If someday Congress leader appeals for Pakistani troops, will it be wise That Pakistan Army landing..justifying Opposition Demands.
Let Sovereign Nation remain Sovereign. Think of poverty within boundaries..Farmers suicide etc First then think beyond ur boundaries.
Irene Cassandra Maldives Opposition has requested it formally, get to know the situation entirely and even then, don’t use your foul language, If you are so pained with interventions abroad, go and criticize the US as much as you like.
Maldives is a sovereign country, who authorize India to go into another country? Talking out of your arse
Kaal Rohit Mehra geo-political reality is one thing and emotional talk is another. china is not going to be global superpower without chllenging the usa at global and india at regional level.Do you really believe the usa is going to invade north korea without china’s consent or at least without its indifference attitude?
Get it loud and clear, we don’t give a single damn about China when it comes to our foreign policy, specifically Asian policy.
India will not dare for action without china’s approval.
India should definitely send troops to Maldives and play its role as a regional security provider, a strategic coutnerbalance to China and a rising power.
Read this. You will understand everything
http://www.atimes.com/article/maldives-crisis-us-indian-strategic-alliance-forming//?utm_content=buffer245f2&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer
Do you know the largest US bad. The B52 base is in the dot
So why is the US so concerned about a power struggle in a small dot in the Indian ocean? Does it have something to do with the "Quad"? Does the us want to establish a naval base there? In fact, it was reported that Obama was negotiating an agreement back in 2009 that would logically have led to that but it was leaked to the press and the idea was dropped, probably because of local opposition. There needs to be plenty of light shined on this situation.