Discuss the geopolitical and geostrategic importance of Maldives for India with a focus on global trade and energy flows. Further also discuss how this relationship affects India's maritime security and regional stability amidst international competition?

Theme

T115 Neighbourhood: Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh, Project Mausam

What UPSC asks in this theme

UPSC asks Maldives' geostrategic importance, India's role in Sri Lanka's crisis, how domestic factors (Tamil issue) shape Sri Lanka policy, Bangladesh's internal politics, Maldives' developments, and Project Mausam.

What to cover

• Neighbourhood First and SAGAR
• Sri Lanka: 2022 crisis aid, Tamil question, China's presence
• Maldives: India Out, sea lanes, defence cooperation
• Bangladesh: internal politics, connectivity, water, border
• Project Mausam: cultural and maritime links, strategic dimension

Writing the answer

• Use recent events with dates
• Interests → challenges → India's approach

These notes are for the whole theme, built from all 6 of its PYQs. UPSC does not publish model answers.