AOn Saturday, former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed left the Indian high commission — where he had cleverly sneaked in to seek refuge in order to evade arrest — after 10 days. New Delhi should breathe a sigh of relief.
The former President’s unannounced arrival at its premises had taken the mission unawares but there was no way he could be refused sanctuary. He is, after all, the father of democracy in his country and was perceived as having been deposed last February through a clever manoeuvre involving the local Islamists and some ambitious political elements, possibly with the blessings of the Chinese. The present government in Male, led by President Mohammed Waheed — whose ascension India had accepted unquestioningly, as though deposing a President was the most natural thing to do — accused New Delhi of taking sides and interfering in its internal affairs. Maldives’ big neighbour and traditional benefactor was naturally keen to get rid of the charge.
Mr Nasheed’s departure from the mission gives India a respite. But it will have to work hard to regain its pre-eminence in the nation of islands just off its shores where Beijing is seeking to move in with dexterity to displace long-standing Indian influence. Intrigue fills the air in Male. Although this has been assured, it remains to be seen if those in charge in Male allow Mr Nasheed to compete fairly in the national elections due in September. If jiggery-pokery is on, then we might infer the Chinese are getting their way.