Japan Signs Pact with Maldives | 23 Nov 2020

Why in News

Japan, India’s strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific region, has recently signed a pact to strengthen Maldives security infrastructure that would contribute to stability in the Southern Indian Ocean.

Key Points

• The Maldives and Japan recently signed an agreement under the Economic and Social Development Programme of the Government of Japan.
  
  • Under it, a grant aid of 800 million Japanese Yen is to be extended to the Maldives Coast Guard and the Maritime Rescue and Coordination Center.
• The grant aid will be utilized to further strengthen the capabilities of the Maldives Coast Guard, the Maritime Rescue and Coordination Center, Sub-Regional Centers and Vessels.
  
  • This includes the provision of communications equipment, professional search and rescue dive equipment to be used by the Maldives Coast Guard during search and rescue operations.
• Previously in October 2019, Japan donated 21 paramedic ambulances to the Maldives health sector.
• Benefits:
  
  • Combating Piracy,
  • Countering violent extremism and narco-trafficking.
  • Ensuring a free and open Indian Ocean that would bring about peace and prosperity to the region.
    
    • The Indian Ocean archipelago, that is home to nearly 4 lakh people, assumes geopolitical significance, owing to its strategic location.
• Significance for India:
  
  • Maldives, a Toll Gate in Indian Ocean:
    
    • Located at the southern and northern parts of this island chain lies the two important sea lanes of communication (SLOCs).
    • These SLOCs are critical for maritime trade flow between the Gulf of Aden and Gulf of Hormuz in West Asia and the Strait of Malacca in Southeast Asia.
    • The SLOCs are of vital importance for India since nearly 50% of India’s external trade and 80% of her energy imports transit these westward SLOCs in the Arabian Sea.
  • Pact with a Quad Member: The “grant aid” is the Maldives’s second major pact with a member of the ‘Quad’, an informal strategic grouping of the USA, Japan, Australia and India.
    
    • Previously, a framework related to defence and security was signed with the USA.
    • Quad member countries Foreign Ministers met in Tokyo last month and held discussions, including on ways to counter Chinese presence and influence in the region.

Source:TH