New Delhi, Feb. 8 -- The Maldives, a small country, was once well-known mainly for its pristine beaches and luxury resorts. However, it has now become a symbol of Sino-Indian strategic rivalry in the Indian Ocean region. Viewed against this background, "the Maldives is shaping up to be the regional test case," but it is also a vivid example of what will happen when China's interference grows in smaller countries. 'India Out' actions in the Maldives have intensified since pro-China Mohamed Muizzu seized power in September 2023.

The culmination of this is that Muizzu made his first official visit to China. It is contrary to the foreign policy tradition followed by India's neighboring countries. Amid the tensions, three Maldivian ministers ...