Current Affairs

Issue

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar will be attending the inauguration of the National College of Policing and Law Enforcement (NCPLE) in Addu City, Maldives.

 

Background

The External Affairs Minister is on a two-day official visit to Maldives, where he will be monitoring various projects developed through bilateral cooperation.

 

Details

• The establishment of the police academy was the biggest grant-funded programme of India in Maldives till recently.

• A MoU has signed between Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA), and the Maldives Police Service. 

• The agreement will allow Maldives police to grow its capacities through training and the development of its curriculum. 

 

Need for academy

• The academy was first announced in 2015 during the tenure of Abdulla Yameen Gayoom but was delayed due to souring relationship with India.

• The project was revived in 2018 after the Ibrahim Solih government was sworn in. The academy will help in strengthening law enforcement abilities and counter drug trafficking.

 

Importance of academy

• Violent extremism as well as de-radicalisation are two of the biggest challenges that need to be countered by India and Maldives.

• The academy will address these challenges and enhance cooperation between the two countries.

• There are no radicalized groups but the recent bomb attacks on former president Mohamed Nasheed showed the glimpse of terrorism.

• The government has taken many measures but has not been successful. The National College of Policing and Law Enforcement and advanced training programmes may help in this regard.

• The academy may not single-handedly curb the complex security challenges faced by Maldives but it may start a process.

 

Challenges for maritime security

Protecting coastline is one of the biggest challenges of security. India, Sri Lanka and Maldives have established Colombo Security Conclave for intelligence sharing.