INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
ON
India & Maldives: Sailing the MAHASAGAR Together
Jointly organised by Centre for Public Policy Research, Kochi & Indian Council of World Affairs, New Delhi
20-21 January 2026 | The Avenue Regent, Kochi
INTRODUCTION
India and Maldives share deep-rooted ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious, and commercial ties that date back centuries. The relationship has traditionally been close, cordial, and multi-dimensional. India holds a pre-eminent position in the Maldives, with bilateral ties encompassing several spheres of engagement. India’s strategic role in the Maldives is widely acknowledged, particularly as a new security provider in the region. The Maldives occupy a central place in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and the MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) initiative, which seeks to promote stability and prosperity across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The Maldives is a key partner in the MAHASAGAR framework, supporting enhanced maritime security, economic cooperation and sustainable development through naval exercises, capacity building and humanitarian assistance.
The MAHASAGAR initiative represents India’s maritime vision, shifting from a primarily security-oriented approach to a broader agenda that integrates economic, geopolitical, and developmental priorities. Meaning “Great Ocean,” MAHASAGAR highlights India’s goal to strengthen its presence in the global maritime domain. Its pillars include maritime security through stronger naval exercises, surveillance, and defence partnerships; economic integration and sustainable blue economy growth with resilient supply chains; and enhanced diplomatic leverage through deeper engagement with the Global South. Additionally, capacity building and sustainable development through infrastructure, renewable energy, and climate resilience projects position India as both a security provider and a trusted partner in the Indo-Pacific.
Building on a shared history, the India-Maldives partnership serves as an important cornerstone for regional stability and maritime security in the Indian Ocean. The relationship has evolved into a strategic bond where India acts as a primary development partner through large-scale infrastructure projects, financial support, and extensive capacity-building initiatives. Analyzing the impact of shifting geopolitical dynamics and emerging security challenges reveals the need for strategic avenues that deepen connectivity and foster resilient economic growth. The focus remains on providing actionable insights into strengthening bilateral momentum and advancing shared interests in an increasingly complex maritime landscape.
The Maldives’ foreign policy outlook reflects a complex balancing act as the nation navigates its relations with major powers, including India, China, and the U.S., within a rapidly shifting Indian Ocean landscape. Central to this strategic positioning is the influence of domestic political transitions on external engagement and the management of ties with international actors. Evaluating the trajectories of Maldivian diplomacy reveals key priorities in fostering regional stability and security while seeking mutually beneficial partnerships. By aligning these diplomatic goals with India’s regional role, there is a clear opportunity to advance a prosperous and secure Indian Ocean Region through deeper cooperation and shared strategic interests.
Internal political and economic dynamics in the Maldives directly shape the nation’s governance, development trajectory, and bilateral ties, especially with India. The interplay between domestic politics and a growth model dominated by tourism necessitates a closer look at economic diversification and reforms in skill development to bolster external competitiveness. Addressing concerns related to debt dependence is critical to understanding how the Maldivian economy intersects with its external partnerships and long-term fiscal resilience. Furthermore, the presence and influence of Islamic fundamentalism within the Maldivian polity remain a significant factor with profound implications for both domestic social cohesion and regional security cooperation.
The Maldives plays a pivotal role in the MAHASAGAR initiative, contributing vital strategic and developmental weight to cooperation across the Indian Ocean Region. Amid intensifying geopolitical competition, India-Maldive’s strategic collaboration has become indispensable for safeguarding a stable, inclusive, and rules-based maritime order. This partnership bridges developmental and security dimensions, aligning joint efforts in climate diplomacy, blue economy initiatives, and marine resource management with Maldivian national priorities. Defence and strategic collaboration in maritime domain awareness and disaster relief further enhances regional resilience,while the inclusion of Sri Lanka as a key maritime neighbour adds a complementary pillar of cooperation in coastal surveillance and economic connectivity. Together, these synergies strengthen the collective capacity of MAHASAGAR nations to shape a secure and prosperous Indian Ocean.
Concluding Remarks and Vote of Thanks by Dr Dhritishree Bordalai, Senior Research Associate, CPPR, Kochi
ABOUT THE CONFERENCE
The conference aimed to facilitate discussions among policymakers, scholars, and experts to explore and strengthen the multifaceted partnership between India and the Maldives. Rooted in centuries of shared culture and trade, the bilateral relationship has evolved into a dynamic collaboration encompassing strategic cooperation, climate action, capacity building, and economic growth. The conference also sought to identify actionable pathways to further deepen this partnership in the coming years.
The conference further delved into the evolving geopolitical landscape in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), the Maldives’ internal political and economic dynamics, and the strategic imperatives shaping the India–Maldives partnership. With a focus on actionable outcomes, it explored the contemporary dynamics of both countries and examined how India and the Maldives could enhance cooperation in defence and maritime security. Jointly organised by the Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR) and the Indian Council for World Affairs (ICWA), the conference aimed to foster a collaborative framework addressing shared opportunities, challenges, and regional security, while promoting sustainable growth and mutual prosperity through a developmental partnership approach.
OBJECTIVES
- To evaluate the ongoing developmental capacity-building partnership
- To evaluate cooperation in regional and multilateral fora, in the context of MAHASAGAR
- To address the Maldives’ internal political and economic dynamics and their impact on foreign policy, especially with India
SESSIONS
Session 1: Fireside Chat: India & the Maldives Bilateral Relations: Contemporary Dynamics
Session 2: Maldives Foreign Policy: Evolving Trajectories
Session 3: Internal Dynamics of Maldives: Polity and Economy
Session 4: Strengthening Regional Stability through the MAHASAGAR Initiative
AGENDA
DAY 1 – Tuesday, 20 JANUARY, 2026
13:00 – 14:00 Registration & Lunch
14:00 – 14:45 Inaugural Session
- Welcome Remarks by Dr D Dhanuraj, Chairman, CPPR
- Keynote Address by the Chief Guest – Deputy Inspector General Ashish Mehrotra, Commander, Indian Coast Guard District No. 4 (Kerala and Mahe)
- Special Address by the Guest of Honour – Vice Admiral G Ashok Kumar PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd), Former Vice Chief of Naval Staff and Former National Maritime Security Coordinator, India
14:45 – 16:00
Session 1: Fireside Chat: India & the Maldives Bilateral Relations: Contemporary Dynamics
Guest:
Ms Eva Abdulla, Chairperson, The Maldives Policy Think Tank for Foreign Policy and former Deputy Speaker of the Maldives
Host:
Dr D Dhanuraj, Chairman, Centre for Public Policy Research, Kochi
16:00 – 16:15 Tea/Coffee break
16:15 – 17:30
Session 2: Maldives Foreign Policy: Evolving Trajectories
Panellists:
Dr T.C. Karthikheyan, Associate Professor at Saveetha School of Law, Chennai
Dr Gayathry Gopal, Assistant Professor, Political Science, KCC Institute of Technology and Management, Noida
Moderator:
Dr Pooja Bhatt, Associate Professor, Jindal School of International Affairs, JGU; Research Fellow (Maritime Studies), Centre for Public Policy Research, Kochi
DAY 2 – Wednesday, 21 JANUARY, 2026
10:00 – 11:15
Session 3: Internal Dynamics of Maldives: Polity and Economy
Panellists:
Dr Samatha Mallempati, Research Fellow at the Indian Council of World Affairs
Mr Mohamed Hoodh Ibrahim, Vice President, Maldivian Red Crescent, Chairperson, The Maldives Centre for Policy Research, UNESCO IYF Asia Pacific Regional Facilitator
Moderator:
Dr Dhritishree Bordalai, Senior Research Associate, Centre for Public Policy Research, Kochi
11:15 – 11:30 Tea/Coffee Break
11:30 – 12:45
Session 4: Strengthening Regional Stability through the MAHASAGAR Initiative
Panellists:
Dr N Manoharan, Professor & Director, Centre for East Asian Studies, Department of International Studies, Christ University, Bangalore
Professor S. Chaminda Padmakumara, Department of International Relations, Faculty of Arts, University of Colombo (Online Participation)
Dr Gulbin Sultana, Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), Delhi
Moderator:
Vice Admiral M P Muralidharan AVSM & Bar, NM (Retd), Former DG, Indian Coast Guard, and Hon. Distinguished Fellow (Maritime & Defence Studies), Centre for Public Policy Research, Kochi
12:45 – 13:00 Valedictory Session
Concluding Remarks and Vote of Thanks by Dr Dhritishree Bordalai, Senior Research Associate, Centre for Public Policy Research, Kochi
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch & Departure