Amid strained ties with Maldives, India opens naval base near island

Robert Besser
10 Mar 2024, 17:23 GMT+10

• India inaugurated a new naval base on March 6 on its Indian Ocean island close to the Maldives, amidst strained ties with Male and increased competition with China for influence in the region
• The newly opened INS Jatayu base on Minicoy Island, part of India’s Lakshadweep archipelago, has been under construction for years and marks India’s most distant base on its western coast
• This development coincides with the Maldives urging India to start withdrawing its nearly 80 troops stationed there

NEW DELHI, India: India inaugurated a new naval base on March 6 on its Indian Ocean island close to the Maldives, amidst strained ties with Male and increased competition with China for influence in the region.

The newly opened INS Jatayu base on Minicoy Island, part of India’s Lakshadweep archipelago, has been under construction for years and marks India’s most distant base on its western coast. The navy has maintained a small presence on the island for decades.

This development coincides with the Maldives urging India to start withdrawing its nearly 80 troops stationed there to provide technical and medical assistance on three aircraft provided by New Delhi. The Maldives, historically close to India, has shifted towards Beijing since the election of President Mohamed Muizzu in October, promising to reorient the country’s foreign policy away from India.

India’s new Minicoy Island base, located approximately 125 km (78 miles) from the Maldives, is strategically significant for New Delhi in securing maritime traffic through the Indian Ocean, as it will enhance surveillance efforts in the region.

The Indian Navy stated that the base will bolster its presence in the Lakshadweep islands while expanding the region’s operational reach and capacity building.

In addition to the new base, the navy commissioned a squadron of American MH-60R “Seahawk” helicopters in Kochi, enhancing maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

Meanwhile, the Maldives signed a new agreement with Beijing for military assistance, strengthening bilateral ties.

The spokesperson for the U.S. State Department said the United States is “tracking” reports of the new agreement between the Maldives and Washington’s main strategic rival. Matthew Miller called the Maldives “a valued partner” that the United States looks forward to continue working with.

“Our countries share almost 60 years of partnership and a commitment to an Indo-Pacific region that is connected, secure, resilient and prosperous,” Miller told a regular briefing.

President Muizzu has raised con