On October 21, 2019, Waseda University`s Global Asia Research Center hosted a workshop entitled “Japan, China, and India: Trilateral Competition or Cooperation over the Maldives, a Keystone of Indian Ocean.” Prof. Yuji Uesugi and Prof. Miwa Hirono delivered their research presentation based on a comparative approach of political science.

First, Prof. Hirono pressented basic information of the situation in the Maldives. The extremely low elevation of its islands increases susceptibility to tsunamis and the effects of climate change. Its tourism industry has acted as an engine of the economic growth, making it a middle-income status in Asia. It also economically relies on fishery. However, the Maldives still experiences economic problems and natural disasters. Consequently, it receives aid from countries such as China, Japan, and India.

Next, Prof. Uesugi elaborated on how Japan and China competed in the development of the Maldives. Japan can only proceed ODA (Official Development Assistance) Program, so it focused only on developing minor islands to resolve economical and regional inequalities between the small islands and the main island of Male area. On the other hand, China implemented a social housing project by hiring migrant workers from Bangladesh. According to Prof. Uesugi, it would be difficult for Japan and China to collaborate in developing the Maldives. Japan will likely continue sending specialists of macroeconomy and monitor environmental changes. Meanwhile, China faces human rights issues of Bangladeshi workers, and needs to put considerable effort in to relocating wastes of the island by landfills.

The Maldives also relies on India for its security and defense. In this sense, India has maintained a critical position toward Chinese involvement in development.

Following the presentation, there was a lively discussion led by Prof. Takeshi Daimon. Participants discussed more on the issues of political relations among Japan, China, and India in relation to the Maldives, and they showed concerns about the environmental issues particularly on rising sea levels and climate change.