Jayanta Roy Chowdhury
New Delhi, Mar 11 (UNI) Former Maldivian president Mohamed Nasheed has argued that countries facing political transitions across the world must focus on building economic and institutional resilience rather than depending on external assistance.
Speaking about his own political experience in Maldives, Nasheed said political change is rarely smooth, and often involves significant challenges. Recalling the period that led to democratic reforms in the island nation, he described the process as “a little bouncy and bumpy,” but said it ultimately demonstrated how political transitions should take place through democratic means.
Nasheed, who was present at the Synergia conference being held here, said the Maldives was able to overcome several obstacles by mobilising public support for political activism, amending the constitution, and conducting free and fair elections.
“In my mind, this is how you change regimes,” he said, adding that he preferred the phrase “transfer of power” rather than “regime change.”
Though Nasheed did not mention any examples, there has been much talk of regime change in Iran by arming Kurdish dissidents to launch ground attacks.
Placing the Maldives’ experience in a broader global context, Nasheed stressed that countries undergoing political change must focus on strengthening their economic foundations.
He cautioned against excessive dependence on foreign aid or financial support.
Analysts have long warned of debt traps that many nations in the Indo-Pacific are falling into on account of huge loans being taken by them for building overpriced infrastructure. Sri Lanka’s case where it had to sign a 99-year lease for the strategically located Hambantota Port to China swapping loan for equity after struggling to repay loans used to build it.
“We must be actually resilient. Don’t keep on giving us these handouts,” he said, noting that financial vulnerability often forces countries to seek assistance from multiple external sources.
Nasheed pointed to the Maldives’ own economic challenges, saying the country’s debt has reached about 144 per cent of GDP. With more than a billion dollars in obligations due soon, he warned that continued financial vulnerability could compel nations to look for funding “from wherever we can.”
“What we really need to do is make ourselves resilient. Then we will not run around,” he said.
At the same time, he cautioned that economic dependence should not become a tool of political leverage in international relations.
Nasheed also touched upon the dispute surrounding the Chagos Archipelago, where the USA has its largest Indian Ocean base at Diego Garcia, saying the issue is significant for Maldivians primarily because of its impact on fisheries.
“Fishing is our livelihood, and Chagos is a protected zone,” he said, warning that the issuance of fishing licences to large trawlers by Mauritius could affect Maldivian fishermen.
Commenting on evolving geopolitical dynamics in the Indian Ocean, Nasheed questioned the rationale behind the Maldives’ growing engagement with Türkiye, saying he found it difficult to understand the strategic logic behind such a move.
Türkiye has donated a fast attack naval ship and sold armed drones worth USD 37 million to Maldives, raising eyebrows.
The former Maldives President also stressed that regional developments should not undermine broader strategic partnerships, particularly the relationship between India and the United States.
Nasheed’s remarks come at a time when several countries across the world are witnessing political transitions, debates over economic vulnerability, and shifting geopolitical alignments, particularly in the strategically vital Indian Ocean region.
UNI JRC RSA