Country

Maldives

Maldives Balks at Banning Israeli Tourists

Maldives Balks at Banning Israeli Tourists

By Ahmed Naish
The ruling party and tourism industry associations oppose a “blanket ban” on Israeli passport holders as proposed by the opposition and backed by a pro-Palestine public consensus.

Maldives Opposition Cries Foul as Muizzu Government Amends Constitution to Deter Defections

Maldives Opposition Cries Foul as Muizzu Government Amends Constitution to Deter Defections

By Ahmed Naish
The new anti-defection rules effectively allow parties to enforce their whip line with the threat of removal from office.
COP29 Outcomes and South Asian Concerns

COP29 Outcomes and South Asian Concerns

By Saqlain Rizve
There is concern in the region that much of the climate finance being extended is in the form of loans that could get them debt-trapped.

What Underlies China’s Rise in South Asia?

What Underlies China’s Rise in South Asia?

By Rathindra Kuruwita
China’s efforts to contain India may be less important than smaller countries’ desire to counterbalance Indian influence.

Maldives Moves to Hike Tourism Taxes and Tighten Belts

Maldives Moves to Hike Tourism Taxes and Tighten Belts

By Ahmed Naish
President Muizzu announced plans to dismiss more than 200 political appointees as part of efforts to reduce government spending but postponed politically difficult subsidy reforms.

What’s Driving Taiwan’s Mass Protests?
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What’s Driving Taiwan’s Mass Protests?

India Turns to Maritime Neighbors to Navigate Troubled Neighborhood

India Turns to Maritime Neighbors to Navigate Troubled Neighborhood

By Rushali Saha
India’s traditional focus on its continental borders resulted in neglect of the maritime domain. That is changing.

Maldives President Muizzu Does U-Turn on Maiden State Visit to India

Maldives President Muizzu Does U-Turn on Maiden State Visit to India

By Ahmed Naish
He agreed to open an Indian consulate and endorsed an India-funded military harbor -- projects he previously opposed as they allegedly threatened Maldivian sovereignty.
Maldives President to Visit India Amid Danger of Debt Default

Maldives President to Visit India Amid Danger of Debt Default

By Ahmed Naish
Malé is hoping for a bailout from New Delhi after credit rating agencies downgraded the country’s debt over a high risk that it could default on an Islamic bond.

Maldives President Accuses National Bank of Attempted Coup

Maldives President Accuses National Bank of Attempted Coup

By Ahmed Naish
The Bank of Maldives suspended foreign currency spending from local cards but reversed the decision six hours later after the government intervened in the face of a public uproar.

Maldives Completes U-Turn From ‘India Out’ to ‘Closest Ally’

Maldives Completes U-Turn From ‘India Out’ to ‘Closest Ally’

By Ahmed Naish
The visit of Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to Malé marked the renewal of traditionally close ties that soured in the early days of President Muizzu’s administration.

Maldives Opposition Warns FTA With China Imperils Economic Sovereignty

Maldives Opposition Warns FTA With China Imperils Economic Sovereignty

By Ahmed Naish
If tariffs are eliminated for Chinese goods, Maldives will be forced to import exclusively from China as goods from other countries would not be able to compete against cheaper Chinese goods.
The Maldives’ Tightrope Walk: Balancing China-India Relations Amid Mounting Debt

The Maldives’ Tightrope Walk: Balancing China-India Relations Amid Mounting Debt

By Eva Abdulla
Amid an intensifying competition for influence, the Maldives’ mounting debt is the most central issue in its relations with both India and China. 

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