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VOL. 8, ISSUE 2 (2026)
Strategic hedging in small state diplomacy: A study of the Maldives between India and China
Authors
Mobin
Abstract
Small states such as the Maldives have become pivotal in the strategic
calculus of the big powers in the Indian Ocean Region, such as India and China,
in the changing geopolitical environment. This paper will discuss how the
Maldives, though having limited material potentials, employs agency by the
strategy of strategic hedging, which is keeping relations with other
competitive powers to enjoy maximum economic and security gains at minimum dependency
and risks. The study by examining the foreign policy choices, economic
interactions and security alignment of the Maldives under different political
regimes show how successive governments have been able to balance the
traditional influence of India with the increasing influence of China with the
Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The paper relies on the theories of small state
behaviour and strategic hedging and presents a detailed case study in order to
learn the complexities, constraints, and opportunities that small states have
in dealing with asymmetric relationships. The results provide some very useful
information about the general trends of the regional diplomacy and emphasize
the necessity of large states to interact with small states on the premises of
equality, independence, and cooperative sustainability.
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Pages:16-22
How to cite this article:
Mobin "Strategic hedging in small state diplomacy: A study of the Maldives between India and China". International Journal of Sociology and Political Science, Vol 8, Issue 2, 2026, Pages 16-22
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