Friday, May 30, 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.

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.

TNT is truly independent!

We don’t have a billionaire owner, and our unique reader-funded model keeps us free from political or corporate influence. This means we can fearlessly report the facts and shine a light on the misdeeds of those in power.

Consider a donation to keep our independent journalism running…

Merz: Defiant EU nations could be hit with economic punishment

The globalist agenda

Published 28 May 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Merz at the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier this year.

German Chancellor and former BlackRock executive Friedrich Merz is threatening to support a freeze on EU funding for Slovakia and Hungary if the countries continue to oppose EU leaders’ sanctions policy against Russia.

On Monday, Merz removed restrictions on Ukraine’s use of German long-range weapons deep inside Russia, a decision the Kremlin described as a “serious escalation”. Slovakia and Hungary have also taken a critical stance toward the West’s policy in the Ukraine war.

However, Merz does not appreciate the criticism and issued a clear warning to Bratislava and Budapest, stating that EU countries considered to be in breach of the rule of law could face infringement proceedings.

– Withdrawing European funds is always an option… If it is necessary, then we will deal with it, he added.

He also emphasized that “we cannot allow the decisions of the entire EU to depend on a small minority” and hinted that there could be “clearer words and possibly also harder conflicts” if the two countries do not change course.

“The end of democracy in Europe”

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán have long criticized EU leaders for prolonging the war with military and economic support for Kiev without any visible progress.

Fico, who survived an assassination attempt in May 2024, has taken a more neutral stance than his predecessors since coming to power in 2023. Under his leadership, Slovakia has reduced its military support for Ukraine and promised to veto new EU sanctions that could damage the country’s economy. Fico has also visited Moscow twice since December to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which has sparked anger and criticism from both the EU and NATO.

The Slovak prime minister rejected Merz’s threat to withdraw funding and called the attack unacceptable.

– If someone wants to push a policy where only one opinion is allowed, that’s the end of democracy in Europe, he told reporters during a visit to Armenia on Tuesday.

“Not the path to unity and cooperation”

He argued that a policy where only one opinion is allowed is as dangerous for Europe as a third world war, and that German leaders must accept that not everyone shares their views.

Slovakia is not a little schoolchild that needs to be lectured. Slovakia’s sovereign positions do not stem from vanity, but are based on our national interests“, Fico stated, continuing:

When you hear such aggressive remarks, it feels like we are not heading into good times. The words of the German Chancellor are absolutely unacceptable in modern Europe. If we don’t obey, are we to be punished? This is not the path toward cohesion and cooperation”.

French parliament approves law legalizing euthanasia

Published 28 May 2025
– By Editorial Staff
In the 21st century, several European countries have chosen to legalize euthanasia or assisted suicide - and now France is next.

The French parliament has voted to legalize active euthanasia, allowing healthcare providers to help terminally ill patients end their lives.

The bill was approved by the National Assembly with 305 votes in favor and 199 against, while a separate law on the right to palliative care was passed unanimously.

The new law, called the “law on end of life”, is described by the government as “an ethical response to the need to support the sick and the suffering“. It allows medical teams to decide whether a patient can have access to a lethal substance, either through self-administration or with the help of healthcare professionals.

To qualify, the patient must be over 18, have French citizenship or residency, and suffer from a “serious and incurable, life-threatening, advanced or terminal illness” that causes “constant, unbearable physical or psychological suffering” without relief. The patient must also express their wishes freely and in an informed manner.

The proposal was supported by President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist MPs and the left, while conservative and nationalist parties opposed it.

Socialist MP Stéphane Delautrette called the decision “historic” and compared it to the introduction of abortion rights or the abolition of the death penalty.

– The French people are ready for this, and we owe them this rendezvous with history.

May come into force next year

However, Patrick Hetzel (Les Républicains) was not nearly as enthusiastic, warning of the risks of allowing assisted suicide.

– It is illusory to and even dangerous to even think of debating a legalization of euthanasia without having first fully deployed proper access to palliative care, he argued.

France has previously allowed passive euthanasia and deep sedation, but active euthanasia required travel to neighboring countries such as Switzerland. Although the parliament has given its approval, the law must now be reviewed by the Senate and return to the National Assembly, and is expected to come into force sometime next year at the earliest.

In countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, and Portugal, active euthanasia is already permitted, and in Germany and Switzerland, physician-assisted suicide is permitted. In the UK, politicians will soon take a position on a bill to allow euthanasia.

Critics argue, however, that assisted suicide and active euthanasia risk undermining human dignity and opening up gray areas where vulnerable people, such as the elderly, the sick, or the disabled, may feel pressured or compelled to end their lives.

Risks becoming a quick and cheap solution

There are also warnings that legal certainty is lacking and that end-of-life care should be strengthened instead. Several experts have pointed out that access to palliative care is uneven and that euthanasia risks becoming a quick and cheap solution instead of offering relief, care, and support to those who need it most.

In several countries, euthanasia is not only provided to people with incurable and painful physical conditions, but also to those suffering from mental illness if this is considered to cause unbearable suffering.

Critics have pointed out, however, that mental illness is often treatable and that people in mental crisis need care and help to get better, rather than help to end their lives.

Experts have also emphasized that people suffering from deep depression or similar severe mental illness are not capable of making life-and-death decisions on their own, and that there is a real risk that mentally ill and highly vulnerable individuals will be pressured or persuaded to believe that death is the best option for them.

In Canada, where the rules are among the most liberal in the world, medically assisted dying accounted for nearly five percent of all deaths in the country in 2023.

US removes COVID vaccine recommendation for children and pregnant women

The criticized covid vaccinations

Published 28 May 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Kennedy has long been highly critical of the way the Biden administration urged that even young children be injected with the experimental vaccines.

The US government has removed the experimental COVID-19 vaccines from the list of recommended vaccinations for healthy pregnant women and children.

We’re now one step closer to realizing President Trump’s promise to make America healthy again, declared Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. when announcing the decision.

– I couldn’t be more pleased to announce that as of today the COVID vaccine for healthy children and healthy pregnant women has been removed from the CDC recommended immunization schedule, RFK said in a video posted on X yesterday.

According to analysts, the decision will most likely mean that significantly fewer children and pregnant women will be vaccinated with the heavily criticized vaccines in the future – partly because this is not recommended by the authorities – but also because many insurance companies will likely no longer cover the cost.

– Last year the Biden administration urged healthy children to get yet another COVID shot despite the lack of any clinical data to support the repeat booster strategy in children, Kennedy continued.

“Common sense and good science”

At the announcement, Kennedy was flanked by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Martin Makary and National Health Service Chief Dr. Jay Bhattacharya.

– It’s common sense and it’s good science, Bhattacharya said.

– There’s no evidence healthy kids need it today and most countries have stopped recommending it for children, Makary added.

Even the US Department of Health and Human Services press secretary, Vianca N. Rodriguez Feliciano, states that “HHS and the CDC remain committed to gold standard science and to ensuring the health and well-being of all Americans – especially our nation’s children”.

“A victory for all children and pregnant women”

Since the vaccines became available, the government has recommended them to almost all citizens including children and pregnant women.

Mary Holland, CEO of Children’s Health Defense (CHD) which early on urged the CDC not to recommend the vaccine for children and challenged the agency after the decision welcomes the announcement.

– Hallelujah! Holland said, adding: “These dangerous, poorly tested shots have caused injuries and death to far too many children. And many of the vaccines’ long-term side effects remain unknown. This is a major step in the right direction”.

– CHD urged the CDC not to add these dangerous vaccines to the childhood schedule. When we were ignored, we fought relentlessly to get them removed. This is a victory for all children and pregnant women.

In 2022, CHD sued the US federal Food and Drug Administration for granting emergency approval of COVID-19 vaccines for children and infants. The lawsuit alleged that the FDA abused its emergency use authorization power to push dangerous biological substances on minors. The organization appealed all the way to the US Supreme Court, which ultimately declined to hear the case.

“Emergency use authorized” for 5-year-olds

Even during the most panicked phases of the coronavirus crisis, experts agreed that children were at extremely low risk from COVID-19. Shortly after the vaccines were approved, side effects were reported, and peer-reviewed studies linked the vaccine to myocarditis and pericarditis, particularly in young people, in addition to several other health risks.

Despite this, public health authorities initially approved the vaccine for people aged 16 and older, and extended it to 12-year-olds in May 2021. The FDA then approved the vaccine for children aged 5 and older in October 2021, and for infants aged 6 months in June 2022.

However, the COVID-19 vaccine has never received full approval from the FDA for children under 12 it is still only authorized for use under emergency use authorization.

Nevertheless, the CDC added COVID vaccination to its routine vaccination schedule for children and adults in February 2023, after the agency’s advisory committee unanimously recommended it. The CDC has since continued to recommend annual booster doses for children.

The federal vaccination schedule also forms the basis for the vaccination recommendations given by most doctors, and also serves as formal guidance for state and local public health authorities that determine which vaccinations are required for school attendance. Children must usually have received all vaccines on the schedule to be considered “up to date”.

EU leaders want to punish Hungary for Pride ban

Totalitarianism

Published 27 May 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Viktor Orbán's divergence from the official EU line on several issues has long caused anger and frustration.

A majority of EU member state leaders, including France and Germany, are calling on the European Commission to take action against Hungary over Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s plans to ban future Pride parades in Budapest.

A total of 16 countries are behind the call, which was coordinated by the Netherlands and demands that the Commission “expeditiously make full use of the rule of law toolbox” to get Hungary to back down from the proposed ban, Politico reports.

Signatories include Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, and the three Baltic states, as well as major EU players such as Germany and France.

We are highly alarmed by these developments”, the statement said, pointing to Hungarian laws that risk fines for organizers and participants in various LGBTQ events.

According to those in power, the Hungarian laws “run contrary to the fundamental values to human dignity, freedom, equality and respect for human rights as laid down in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union”.

Blocked Ukraine aid causes anger

Exactly what measures the Commission should take is not yet clear, but several EU diplomats mention so-called interim measures as an alternative – legal injunctions that would in practice override Hungarian law and force Budapest to allow Pride celebrations.

The EU is already withholding €18 billion in funds to Hungary due to disputes over the rule of law, but Brussels has so far chosen not to proceed with more extensive coercive measures.

According to Politico, Equality Commissioner Hadja Lahbib opposed further measures during a meeting last week, citing a lack of support from the heavily criticized Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

At the same time, pressure on von der Leyen to take tougher action against Orbán’s government is said to be growing – not only because of the Pride ban, but also because of Hungary’s continued blocking of EU aid to Ukraine. Several diplomats say that EU leaders’ patience is now running out.

Frustration toward Hungary has been building massively. If there’s an existential threat at our borders, how long are you going to put up with that?” commented one official.

Sweden wants to take “the next step”

Ahead of the EU General Affairs Council, Sweden’s EU Minister Jessica Rosencrantz also made it clear that she wants to force Hungary to change its policy:

– After seven years and seven hearings, we are at a crossroads. Unless we see a completely new Hungarian approach at tomorrow’s meeting, I see no point in continuing these hearings. It’s high time we get serious about next steps.

One of the most far-reaching options currently being discussed is to activate Article 7 of the EU Treaty – the so-called “nuclear option” – which could ultimately result in Hungary being stripped of its voting rights in the European Council. At least 19 member states are said to support this, three fewer than the qualified majority required to move forward with the process.

Our independent journalism needs your support!
We appreciate all of your donations to keep us alive and running.

Our independent journalism needs your support!
Consider a donation.

You can donate any amount of your choosing, one-time payment or even monthly.
We appreciate all of your donations to keep us alive and running.

Dont miss another article!

Sign up for our newsletter today!

Take part of uncensored news – free from industry interests and political correctness from the Polaris of Enlightenment – every week.