The government of India expressed support for Maldives' framework agreement with the United States of America's Department of Defence to strengthen defence and security relationships between the two countries, reported Indian media 'The Wire'.
Although India had initially opposed the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) in 2013, Indian officials touted the move as a sign of shifting tides within the region.
"There cannot be more clarity that Maldives is saying that it is part of the Indo-Pacific”, said an official, in reference to the US-led geopolitical concept.
The US describes its Indo-Pacific strategy as an "ironclad and enduring commitment" to a region that spans from the Pacific Ocean to the Indian subcontinent, seemingly established to mar Chinese influence within the region.
India originally opposed the agreement due to questionable bilateral relations with the Indian government during the past presidencies of Mohamed Waheed and Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.
“Yes, we did discourage a SOFA in 2013 as it would have justified a similar agreement with China and an offer to us as well, leaving an outcome that was less desirable than the existing state. And in 2013 both [the US and Maldives] listened to us", said an official.
Although Indian officials confirmed the government's awareness of the agreement, India was unaware of its details
The framework was reached on the backdrop of growing security concerns in the Indo-Pacific and the Indian Ocean region, including the threat of piracy, violent extremism, terrorism and illicit trafficking.
The agreement, signed on Wednesday at Philadelphia, outlines various bilateral activities such as senior-level dialogues and maritime domain awareness on natural disasters and relief operations.
It is a "positive step towards furthering the close ties that exist between the two countries, especially in the defence and security sectors...", said the Maldivian defence ministry.
The move came at a time when opposition forces continue to staunchly criticize President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's administration for "selling off Maldives" and claiming threats against the country's sovereignty amid growing ties with India.
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