The Indian government is intervening at the “highest levels” to “push” the Indian Space Research Organisation (IRSO) to submit a proposal for the joint manufacturing, launch and operations of a Maldives’ communications satellite as a means to improve bilateral relations, claims the Hindustan Times.
The IRSO did not initially submit a proposal, considering the project “not viable” given China’s interest and presence in the Indian Ocean Region. They later requested the Indian Ministry of External Affairs to partly subsidise the project, according to Indian media.
The High Commission of India (HCI) in the Maldives is unsure whether the report’s claims are accurate.
“The HCI knows of the [Communications Authority of Maldives (CAM)] request for proposals and discussions with the Maldivian government did occur,” HCI official Shri P S Karthigeyan told Minivan News today.
“However, beyond that the current status of the project is not known,” he added.
Karthigeyan confirmed that Maldivian Defence Minister Colonel (Retired) Mohamed Nazim is traveling to India April 15 to 18, was its unaware if his agenda includes discussions regarding the satellite project.
“The topic is on the bilateral agenda and will be taken up with Nazim. Not only Chinese companies but others too are interested in the Maldivian project,” media quoted an anonymous Indian Ministry of External Affairs official as saying.
Indian security agencies are concerned about increased Chinese participation in neighboring countries’ communication satellite projects, according to various Indian media outlets.
The Indian government plans to discourage giving orbital slots to China through a “mix of investments and diplomatic negotiations”.
India’s Antrix Corporation could bid for this project to scuttle any possible venture with the Chinese, reported the Hindu Business Line.
“ISRO may consider sending a delegation to Maldives to explore the possibility of cooperation in space technology. Maldives could be sensitised to India’s security concerns with regard to the presence of third countries in areas close to its borders,” an Indian government official was quoted as saying.
A meeting was held in late March with Indian intelligence agencies, ministries, and the department of space to discuss China’s growing influence in South Asia, according to Indian media.
“Analysts suspect a Chinese hand behind recent setbacks India has suffered in the region, such as the scrapping of GMR’s airport deal in Maldives and Sri Lanka raising duties on Indian auto imports. China’s economic rise is gradually eroding India’s ability to wield influence in its immediate neighbourhood,” claimed the Economic Times.
The CAM Chief Executive Officer Ilyas Ahmed has denied receiving an official proposal from India, however a proposal from the Indian government “must be considered,” according to local media.
“We are looking to complete the process during this month. The selecting of a company had been delayed due to the processing,” Ahmed stated.
Companies from China, UK, Netherlands, Cyprus, Luxembourg and Thailand had “expressed interest” prior to the proposal submission deadline, claims local media.
The CAM extended the proposal deadline from January 31, 2013 to February 28, 2013 after interested parties expressed difficulties because the previous time period for submission was too short.
Nazim’s dealings with China
The initial CAM project announcement was made while Nazim was on an official five-day visit to China, where he signed a military aid agreement with Chinese National Defence Minister General Liang Guanglie.
Nazim met with two Chinese companies interested in launching and operating a satellite designated for the Maldives during a December 2012 visit to China, former Minister of Communication Dr Ahmed Shamheed previously claimed.
According to Shamheed, Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim has already been approached by various Chinese companies who have expressed interest in the satellite venture.
“At first, I had been involved in casual meetings with these companies, but now it seems to getting more serious. Nazim had even questioned as to why we have not yet signed an agreement with them,” Shamheed alleged.
Shamheed previously told Minivan News that the Maldives government was potentially entitled to an “orbital slot” for a satellite from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). However, because the Maldives’ currently lacks the capabilities to launch and operate a satellite, the state would have to lease out the slot to an external party.
Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim, the Communications Authority of Maldives, and the Indian Space Research Organisation had not responded to calls from Minivan News at time of press.
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We should not give this project to India.
India had not be rational in dealing with the current situation in Maldives. Maldivian government should not bow thier heads just because they are large and is a super power in the region.
We need to either with China or US and not with India.
India thought just banning the export of aggregate and Sands and restriction of visa to India , will force the country to lick their ass.
We are in 21st century and not in stone age where all small countries need to take refuge under the big countries.
We are not in a era where slavery is daily norms and India can not make the country to be thier slaves.
We need to develop trade ties with China, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh etc .
@Kuribee
We need to establish good trade connections with all of our neighbours so that one day we may have a multilateral free trade zone. We need economic allies close to us first.
Sure we obviously need connections with china too. But we should not alienate India in the process. Any pressure from India on us now is because we fucked up with the GMR thing. We deserve what is coming to us.
@ Kuribee
You don't seriously think a minor satellite project will make the slightest difference to our economy?.....in any case you will need Indians to manage it like we do your schools and hospitals. After the GMR debacle India should not get involved in any infrastructural projects in Maldives.
Maldives cannot decide how to deal with India, it is India that decides how to deal with Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, China and other neighbouring countries. May I suggest
For medical treatment you go to China.....drug rehabilitation is a speciality
For higher studies you go to Pakistan.....best madrasas in the world
For holidays you go to Thailand.....great ladyboys and crossdressers
Buy your aggregate, sand and building materials from Somalia
Buy your medicines from Saudi Arabia.....your sunni brothers in Afghanistan already supply you with drugs and narcotics
Buy your rice and other foodstuffs from Sri Lanka
Kuribee you need a reality check my boy.....and the reality is that India calls all the shots
I want whatever it is that Kuribee above is smoking...
Forget India it is way too poor, undeveloped and fanatical (look at the BJP Hindu crazies) and their anti-Muslim madness.
China is the real superpower and in many areas where Japan was in the 1970s or where Korea was in the 1990s. Just take a trip to Shanghai and then to crap-holes like Calcutta or Bombay.
See who has the buildings and roads and then see who has the shacks and slumdogs. I did. India can't even prevent mass rapes in its capital city! Been to Beijing, can't expect that there.
Forget India or the US, China is the future. India is only good for rapes and call centres (LOL)!