Monday, September 15, 2025

Polaris of Enlightenment

Assessing the importance of India-Maldives ties amid growing strife

Published 25 January 2024
– By Sukanya Saha
PM Narendra Modi's serene Lakshadweep beach photo, an unexpected catalyst of diplomatic strains, shared on Twitter/X.
4 minute read

The Maldives finds itself amid a diplomatic storm, as its relationship with India has taken a hit due to a series of contentious events. The dispute began when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a seemingly harmless photograph of himself relaxing on a sunbed at a pristine beach in Lakshadweep.

This tropical archipelago, consisting of 36 atolls and coral reefs, is located in the Laccadive Sea, off the coast of Kerala. The images also captured the 73-year-old Modi snorkelling activities while sporting an orange life vest.

However, Modi’s relaxing pictures quickly stirred discontent among some in the Maldives, interpreted as an effort to divert tourists from the Indian Ocean archipelago, a region heavily dependent on tourism as a cornerstone of its economy.

Maldivian Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Mariyam Shiuna, mocked Modi in a post, referring to him as a “clown”, a “terrorist” and “puppet of Israel” on microblogging site X, which has now been deleted.

Following this, several Indian celebrities, including actors and cricketers, began openly supporting initiatives aimed at showcasing local beaches and alternative tourist destinations. Moreover, one of the prominent travel websites in India temporarily halted flight reservations to the Maldives.

In response, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu’s government called for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel, embarked on a significant overseas visit to China, and annulled a crucial water survey pact, intensifying tensions. However, beneath the surface of this brewing conflict lies a web of interconnected interests and dependencies that both nations share.

High Stakes in India-Maldives relations

At stake is a diplomatic and political relationship that has evolved over six decades. Since India established diplomatic ties with the Maldives in 1965, the two nations have developed deep connections across various sectors. Despite changes in government, India has worked tirelessly to build relationships with political, military, business, and civil society leaders. This meticulous effort has made India the preferred destination for Maldivians in areas such as education and healthcare.

Why does India need the Maldives?

The strategic location of the Maldives is a key factor. Situated barely 70 nautical miles from Minicoy and 300 nautical miles from India’s west coast, the Maldives holds significant importance in India’s maritime security calculus. India has invested heavily in training the Maldivian National Defence Force (MNDF), with nearly 70 per cent of their defence training conducted by India.

The looming Chinese presence in the region adds urgency to India’s need for the Maldives as an ally. As China has extended its influence over the last 15 years, India’s longstanding connections with the Maldives position it as a crucial ally in mitigating the growing impact of China’s presence. The establishment of a coastal radar system in the Maldives further underscores India’s commitment to monitoring activities in the Indian Ocean.

What compels the Maldives to rely on India?

India plays a pivotal role in meeting Maldives’ daily needs. From essential food supplies, medicines, and infrastructure materials to education, India’s contribution is integral to Maldives’ functioning. Indian universities and boarding schools have become the educational lifeline for Maldivian students, who seek quality education. Indian assistance during times of crisis, such as the 2004 tsunami and the 2014 drinking water crisis, has solidified the bond between the two nations.

Maldives’ economic dependence on India is evident, with India being its second-largest trade partner in 2022. The construction of the 300-bed Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Malé and India’s role as a security provider during the 1988 coup attempt underscore the multifaceted nature of the relationship.

Muizzu’s move to revive China FTA raises concerns

In his current visit to China, Muizzu has suggested revitalising the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Beijing. Muizzu’s push to revive the China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is stirring apprehension as some experts fear it could heighten the risk of a debt crisis in the Maldives.

China currently holds 37 per cent of the total debt in the Maldives, and there are concerns that the FTA might exacerbate this, potentially leading the Maldives into a crisis similar to that of Sri Lanka, as reported by The Economic Times.

In its October report, the World Bank cautioned that deepening ties with China could pose challenges for Maldives, given its existing debt of $1.37 billion to Beijing. China holds the position of being the largest bilateral creditor for Maldives, surpassing both Saudi Arabia and India.

The path forward

It is crucial for both New Delhi and Male to recognise the depth of their interdependence and work towards de-escalating tensions. Diplomacy must prevail over knee-jerk reactions. While political rhetoric and public posturing may create temporary rifts, India’s historical role as a reliable partner in times of need and the Maldives’ strategic importance to India’s security interests highlight the mutual benefits of preserving a strong bilateral relationship. Therefore, both nations must engage in open and constructive dialogue to address concerns and find common ground.

Sukanya Saha is a contributing editor at The Nordic Times. Based in New Delhi, she is an accomplished journalist who has previously worked with several major Indian media outlets such as NDTV, India Today, IANS, and Jagran English. Currently, she is associated with Hindustan Times. In 2022, she topped the BRICS International Journalism Programme from India. Committed to understanding the complex dynamics that shape our world, Sukanya's passions range from world politics to science and space exploration.

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Journalist: “Israel most likely actor behind the murder of Charlie Kirk”

Published today 9:43
– By Editorial Staff
Charlie Kirk turned 31 years old.
3 minute read

The murder of conservative debater Charlie Kirk on September 10 has taken a dramatic turn. 22-year-old Tyler Robinson has been in custody since Friday, suspected of the murder.Meanwhile, journalist Kim Iversen has launched an alternative analysis that has gained widespread attention.

She describes the murder as a professionally planned operation where Israel is pointed out as a possible actor.

Charlie Kirk, founder of the organization Turning Point USA, was shot dead on Wednesday during a speech in Orem, Utah. After intensive investigation, police arrested Tyler Robinson, 22, on Friday through tips from relatives and surveillance camera analysis.

Bullet casings with inscriptions interpreted as radical left-wing symbols are reported to have been found nearby. Police have not yet commented further on the findings, but authorities are now investigating both Robinson’s motive and possible contacts with other persons or groups.

Tyler Robinson Charlie Kirk
Tyler Robinson, 22, is currently detained suspected of the murder of Charlie Kirk. Montage. Photo: X/@badazn

Kim Iversen’s analysis

Parallel to the official investigation, journalist Kim Iversen has presented her own analysis that questions the lone gunman theory. She believes several factors point to a more sophisticated operation.

I think the vast majority of people are not actually believing that it was a radical leftist. Most people believe it was a professional hit. It was an assassination done by a pro. All roads lead to that, she says.

A central point in her reasoning is that Fox News quickly reported on “foreign intelligence information” in connection with the case – something she sees as both strange and potentially revealing.

Why would there be any foreign intelligence on this at all right now? she asks rhetorically.

Kim Iversen claims that Kirk had recently begun taking a more critical stance toward Israel. He had reportedly declined an invitation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, something she interprets as sensitive given Kirk’s significant influence among young conservatives.

Other profiles have also warned that Kirk risked becoming a threat if he openly switched sides on the Israel issue. Host Harrison Smith recently described him as ready to become the “next major anti-Zionist voice”.

It’s a little bit too perfect, right? Charlie Kirk has a massive audience. His audience was young. the very generation that is very against Israel. And Charlie Kirk, who had been very pro-Israel,had started to question things over the last few weeks, says Iversen.

Who benefits?

The question of who had the most to gain from the murder is central to Iversen’s analysis. She believes it is primarily Israel that has both the interest and capacity to prevent Kirk from turning his young following in a more critical direction.

And if Charlie Kirk is starting to change his tune, who benefits the most is mostly Israel on this. They didn’t like him switching and leading his entire base of millions of youth who they’re already fragile with in a direction they don’t want., she says.

Kim Iversen also emphasizes that such an operation would not just be about eliminating Kirk, but about sending a clear signal.

The one that has the most to gain and who has the sophistication to pull this off and who has ties into our law enforcement to be able to plant evidence like guns with trans inscriptions all over it, whatever that means.. My bet would be on Israel.

By asking the question “cui bono” – who benefits – Iversen places the murder in a geopolitical context rather than a domestic political one. In her analysis, the motive is as much strategic as personal: to avoid a crack in the American conservative movement regarding support for Israel.

Still many unanswered questions

Robinson’s arrest gives authorities a suspect to test the evidence against, but according to Kim Iversen and several other analysts, it does not rule out alternative interpretations.

Her conclusion is that the narrative of a lone radical left-wing activist is not credible, that the incident instead bears traces of a professional operation, that reports of “foreign intelligence information” are strange and suggest external involvement, and that Israel has the most to gain from Kirk being silenced just now when he had become increasingly critical.

The murder of Charlie Kirk will therefore likely continue to be discussed both within the official justice system and in alternative media where theories about geopolitical motives and foreign involvement live on.

Fact box: The murder of Charlie Kirk

  • Date: September 10, 2025
  • Location: Utah Valley University, Orem, Utah
  • Victim: Charlie Kirk, 31, conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA
  • Suspect: Tyler Robinson, 22, arrested September 12 – under investigation for murder
  • Evidence: Bullet casings with inscriptions interpreted as left-wing symbols
  • Investigation: FBI and local authorities investigating Robinson's motives and possible connections to others
  • Alternative leads: Journalist Kim Iversen points to possible geopolitical motives and suspects Israeli involvement

Musk: “White people are a rapidly diminishing minority”

Published 11 September 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Elon Musk has on several occasions warned about the consequences of mass immigration and low birth rates in the Western world.
2 minute read

Tech billionaire Elon Musk has once again drawn attention after commenting on statistics about global population development.

In a post on X, he stated that white people constitute a rapidly shrinking share of the world’s population, and that almost no one seems to react to this fact.

Musk shared a post from the account Radio Genoa which stated that “in 1900 the white population in the world was 36% and today it is 8%.”

“White people are a rapidly diminishing minority of global population”, Musk wrote in his comment on the post, which quickly gained wide circulation.

User Rabbit Hole pointed out that “most of Europe has fertility rates below replacement levels. Whites will likely represent a shrinking share of the human population” going forward, and also received Musk’s agreement.

“Yeah, it’s just a fact. And no one seems to care”, commented the world’s richest man bluntly.

Historically low birth rates across the West

Musk’s comments come at a time when birth rates in the Western world are at critical and historically low levels. In many European countries, birth rates are below 1.4 children per woman, far below the 2.1 children required to maintain population levels.

Furthermore, the figures include population groups from developing countries that traditionally have significantly more children, which means that birth rates among the native population are even lower than what the statistics show.

Despite low birth rates, however, the population in almost all European countries continues to grow, which is due to large-scale mass immigration from non-European countries – a large-scale population replacement, according to critics of current migration policy.

This has led to major demographic changes in many European cities where people with non-European backgrounds already constitute a majority today – or will soon do so.

Mixed reactions

Musk’s statements have received mixed reactions on social media where many users share his concern about the West’s demographic collapse and believe this is a problem that needs to be solved urgently.

Others, however, have accused Musk of hypocrisy and point out that he has previously advocated for increased labor immigration to the United States, particularly so-called high-skilled workers from countries like India, to benefit his own companies.

MSNBC fires analyst after bizarre attack on murdered Charlie Kirk

Published 11 September 2025
– By Editorial Staff
The fact that Charlie Kirk, who was just murdered, was immediately character assassinated after his death became too much even for the bosses at left-liberal MSNBC.
2 minute read

Political commentator Matthew Dowd has been fired from MSNBC after spreading wild conspiracy theories and arguing that murdered conservative figure Charlie Kirk bears responsibility for his own death.

— During our breaking news coverage of the shooting of Charlie Kirk, Matthew Dowd made comments that were inappropriate, insensitive and unacceptable. We apologize for his statements, as has he. There is no place for violence in America, political or otherwise, comments MSNBC chief Rebecca Kutler apologetically, but does not want to comment further on the matter.

The left-liberal Dowd joined the network in 2022 after a long career at ABC News. Following the shooting, Dowd went on the attack against the murdered 31-year-old, accusing him of spreading hate and being one of America’s most “divisive figures”. He also suggested that Kirk had only himself to blame for being murdered.

— He has been one of the most divisive, especially divisive younger figures in this, who is constantly sort of pushing this sort of hate speech or sort of aimed at certain groups. And I always go back to, hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions, claimed Dowd, continuing to place blame on the murder victim.

— I think that’s the environment we’re in, that the people just – you can’t stop with these sort of awful thoughts you have, and then saying these awful words, and not expect awful actions to take place. And that’s the unfortunate environment we’re in.

Dowd also advanced bizarre conspiracy theories that the killer may actually have been a Kirk supporter who killed the 31-year-old by mistake, despite no witness testimony or other evidence supporting that theory.

— We don’t know if this was a supporter shooting their gun off in celebration, he speculated further.

Matthew Dowd is today a Democrat, but also has a background as a Republican strategist. He has made himself known as one of cable TV’s most critical voices against Republican leadership and unsuccessfully attempted in 2021 to become the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor in the state of Texas.

Trump on murdered Charlie Kirk: “A martyr for truth”

Donald Trump's USA

Published 11 September 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Charlie Kirk is survived by his wife Erika and the couple's two children.
4 minute read

Conservative activist and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was shot and killed yesterday during an appearance at Utah Valley University. The murder has shocked the United States, and President Donald Trump has condemned the act in several statements, calling Kirk a “martyr for truth and freedom”.

Charlie Kirk, 31, was participating in a public event during his “American Comeback Tour” when he was shot in front of an audience of approximately 3,000 people.

According to the police report, a single shot was fired from a rooftop of a building approximately 200 meters from the stage, and the bullet struck Kirk in the neck. Witnesses describe how the audience threw themselves to the floor or fled in panic, and Kirk was taken to the hospital in critical condition but later died from his injuries.

The investigation is being led by the FBI together with local authorities. Two people were initially brought in for questioning but were later released. Authorities confirm that a person of interest, dressed in black tactical equipment with helmet, mask, rifle and pilot goggles, has been described by witnesses. However, the killer’s identity and motive have not yet been established.

“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”, wrote the US president in a post on Truth Social and also published a filmed speech where he again emphasized his grief.

Photo: facsimile/Truth Social/Trump

— I am filled with grief and anger at the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk. Charlie inspired millions and tonight all who knew him and loved him are united in shock and horror.

The president described Kirk as a “martyr for truth and freedom” and argued that the 31-year-old’s mission was to make people politically engaged, something he was better at than anyone else, according to Trump.

— Charlie was the best of America. I ask people to commit themselves to the American values for which Charlie Kirk lived and died: the values of free speech, citizenship, the rule of law, and the patriotic devotion and love of God.

Trump emphasized that the act was directed at the entire nation and that “the monster who attacked him” apparently had political motives.

— Violence and murder are the tragic consequence of demonizing those with whom you disagree day after day, year after year, in the most hateful and despicable way possible.

— An assassin tried to silence him with a bullet, but he failed, because together, we will ensure that his voice, his message and his legacy will live on for countless generations to come. Today, because of this heinous act, Charlie’s voice has become bigger and grander than ever before – and it’s not even close.

Trump is one of many public figures who have commented on the murder. At the same time, large memorial ceremonies have been arranged around the country where participants have sung “God Bless America” and praised Kirk.

“Patriots are out signing God Bless America, honoring Charlie’s work to save our country”, notes journalist Nick Sortor, and talk show host Tucker Carlson briefly urged his followers to “never forget this young man”.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox described the shooting as a “political murder” and Turning Point USA, the organization Kirk founded as a teenager, announced in a statement that they are “devastated” by the act and promised to continue Kirk’s work.

In left-liberal media, the tone has at times been different, and several of these have tried to relativize or downplay what happened. Some have even gone so far as to baselessly try to advance the theory that Kirk was accidentally shot by one of his own supporters, despite no evidence supporting this.

Although the assassination occurred as recently as yesterday, it is already considered by many to be one of the most high-profile political murders in modern US history, where many regard Kirk as a leader and central voice for young conservative voters.

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