ABOUT THE BOOK
fjrigjwwe9r0pp_Books:Description
Maldives is the smallest country of South Asia. But
its significance is no less because of its crucial geo-strategic location in
the Indian Ocean. It is situated on the major sea lanes of communications
(SLOCs). However, the geo-strategic location of the Maldives has also caused
problems for the country, as it has aroused interests of major world powers.
They have tried to meddle in the domestic politics of the Maldives so that a
favourable dispensation can come to power, which in turn would promote their
interests in the country and in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Maldives became
a multi-party democracy in October 2008 when a new Constitution was
implemented. This was a positive development in a Sunni Muslim dominated
country, as a number of other Muslim countries were moving on the path of
extremism. Ironically, the multi-party democracy also allowed the rise of
extremism, as radicals used the available democratic space to their advantage.
Unfortunately, the first democratic government in the Maldives could not complete
its full term and the ensuing political instability led to greater meddling by
external powers in its domestic Politics.
ABOUT Author
fjrigjwwe9r0pp_Books:aboutAuthor
Dr. Anand
Kumar is an Associate Fellow at the Institute for Defence Studies and
Analyses (IDSA), New Delhi. After completing his PhD from School of
International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), he joined the IDSA in
2007. His area of specialization is Maldives, Bangladesh, South Asian politics,
Counter-terrorism, Proliferation of Small Arms and Low intensity conflicts.
Before joining IDSA he worked at the South Asia Analysis Group on similar
themes and with the Institute for Conflict Management which specializes on
Counter-terrorism.