Chinese Engagement with the Maldives: Impact on Security Environment in the Indian Ocean Region

Abstract This article explores the objectives of China's engagement in the Maldives and how the current administration of the country is responding to it. The article also looks at how the Maldives has been used by major powers in the past. On the basis of these analyses, it envisages the path that Maldivian foreign policy is likely to follow in the future and its likely impact on the security environment in the Indian Ocean region. The article argues that China is trying to make inroads into the Maldives to fulfil its strategic objectives, but it has not been very successful because of the regime of President Nasheed, which is friendly towards India. However, as Chinese economic engagement in the Maldives…