New Delhi: While India's relations with the Maldives are about to take a nosedive as a result of the Waheed government's decision against Indian infrastructure major GMR, New Delhi is concerned that "many other interests" may be at work in the Indian Ocean nation that could have prompted such a decision.
Sources here said the "climate" created in the Maldives, which prompted a "victory rally" after the termination notice was announced was of immediate concern. It showed a deliberate fanning of anti-India sentiments that could have other more disturbing implications. It appears to be accompanied by a rise in radical Islamist sentiments, and seems to be directed against India.
Instead, China seems to have established itself as an attractive alternative to India. The radical Islamic party Adhaalath tweeted on Thursday, "We would rather give the airport contract to our friends in China, who now make the majority of our tourist population." The tweets went on to say that Maldives as a tourist destination was beyond the reach of Indians but affordable for the Chinese.
29/11/12 Times of India
