Eine Verschwörung im Paradies und Indiens Kampf um Einfluss in Asien

India’s covert attempt to oust Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu has unveiled a high-stakes power struggle between India and China for influence in the Indian Ocean. The Washington Post reports that in January 2024, Indian intelligence agency RAW secretly discussed funding an $6 million impeachment plot with Maldivian opposition leaders, proposing to bribe MPs, military officials, and criminal gangs. Despite these efforts, the scheme failed due to insufficient parliamentary support and fears of destabilizing the Maldives. This intrigue underscores the intensifying competition between India and China, with each using loans, infrastructure projects, and political maneuvers to sway strategic nations. Muizzu, who campaigned on expelling Indian troops and favoring China, initially resisted New Delhi but later sought Indian financial aid to manage his country’s $8 billion debt. By October, fiscal realities led him to mend ties with India, calling it a “valued partner” during a state visit. This episode highlights the delicate balance smaller nations like the Maldives must navigate in the shadow of geopolitical giants.

This revelation gains sharper clarity in light of The Diplomat’s November 2024 report, which describes Muizzu’s government [enacting sweeping anti-defection laws to shield itself](https://thediplomat.com/2024/11/maldives-opposition-cries-foul-as-muizzu-government-amends-constitution-to-deter-defections/) from exactly such subversive plots. Rushed through parliament with lightning speed, the amendments strip lawmakers of their autonomy, disqualifying them for switching allegiances or resigning from their parties. Critics have decried these measures as a death blow to parliamentary independence, solidifying Muizzu’s grip on power. Yet, when seen against the backdrop of India’s alleged interference, this reaction seems not only calculated but inevitable—a fortress erected in response to a foreign power’s attempt to topple the house of cards.