by Hasan A. Hilmy Ever since the 1962 war they fought over border disputes, both sides have been in a complicated relationship with each other. Now they take it beyond the borders after 50 years over their global economic power struggle and becoming The World’s Superpowers. Sino-Indian or Indo-China relationship China and India are two of the world’s oldest civilizations. Global affairs experts commentate; it's the world's most important relationship. China and India comprise 40% of world. Their economies are expected to emerge large over the 21st century. Cultural and economic relations between China and India date back to ancient times. They now represent two of the world's fastest-growing militaries, armed with nuclear weapons, and are expanding their spheres of influence across oceans. Some experts pronounce China and India are competitors, not rivals. But most of them wouldn’t agree looking back the scar left during 1962 border dispute war between two countries and their continuing rivalry advancing military, economy - both behind and beyond the borders. China and India are strategically planning to put up their attention in conflict-prone and unstable states like Nepal, Burma and Maldives – important and strategic location to expand military and economic advancement. Indo-Maldives A diplomatic scholar once described Indo-Maldives relation as strategic "friend in need" relation. It was explained how both countries gain economic and military benefits of other. India and Maldives established the diplomatic relation soon after Maldives gained independence from the British in 1965 but India has been the big brother of Maldives since birth as Sri Lanka happens to be to second. Republic of India and the Republic of Maldives have been friendly and close in strategic, economic and military cooperation. India contributed Maldives, to maintain security on the island nation and has forged an alliance with respect to its strategic interests in the Indian Ocean. Since the success of ‘Operation Cactus’ carried out by Indian Military in November 1988 to liberate Maldives from a coup d’état performed by few Maldivian coup personnel who joined with PLOTE mercenaries of Sri Lanka ,ultimately the relations between India and Maldives have expanded significantly. However TIME magazine reported the event might have an Indian hand; interpreted the action as indicative of “the scale of its ambition in South Asia”. Sri Lankan diplomatic scholar reports; A.K. Banarjee, who served as India's High Commissioner in Male’ during the crucial 1987-1989 period, but was out of station in Delhi the day the coup took place, observes that "to the contrary, despite traditional cordial relations, the importance of the Maldives to India was not fully appreciated in Delhi until the coup, and it is the possibility that the Maldives could have turned elsewhere for help that subsequently established Male’ in New Delhi's psyche". India might have been playing a reflex shot to win Maldives for this day. Although it was Colombo the competitor those days now turn out to be the great friend of China, India has always been keeping an eye on Maldives. Sino-Maldives China and Maldives relation dates back to 14th century where Chinese marchant ships sailed to Maldives. China Daily writes in 2009 that Maritime Marvels of those days were true and detailed records of Maldives' geographical position, climate, products and customs. In the early 60’s after a suspension in the bilateral relation due to imperial invasion, China began to develop the relation with Maldives embassy in Colombo. China supported Maldives to get independence from British and played a major role in the process. On October 14, 1972, China and Maldives officially announced their diplomatic relationships. 2009 Maldives established its embassy in Beijing and 2011 China established their embassy in Male’. Why Maldives? Maldives spread over roughly 90,000 square kilometers (35,000 sq mi), lies between latitudes 1°S and 8°N, and longitudes 72° and 74°E. The atolls are composed of live coral reefs and white sandy beaches with crystal clear water of all blue hues, situated atop a submarine ridge 960 kilometers (600 mi) long that rises abruptly from the depths of the Indian Ocean and runs north to south. Only near the southern end of this natural coral barricade do two open passages permit safe ship navigation from one side of the Indian Ocean to the other through the territorial waters of Maldives. Worlds one of the densest maritime trade route passes through territorial waters of Maldives. This trade route that goes from East to West through Maldives controls more than 65% of maritime trade between these two global economies and controlling these routes can control the global economy. During the age of discovery (14th Century), the first European explorers sailed through Maldivian territorial waters during their voyages between Africa and Eastern Countries. The famous spice route of South East Asian countries and silk route of China pass through Maldives. The Portuguese, Dutch and British, all three major colonial powers colonized Maldives during 15th to 18th century. Portuguese and Dutch took control over the Indian Ocean controlling Maldives and Galle of Sri Lanka. The strategic location of Maldives helped British during World War II as well. RAF Gan (Royal Air Force Gan) located in Addu, the southernmost atoll of Maldives was one of British base during the war. It was extensively used by bombers, fighters and transports on their way to Singapore and other destinations in East Asia during the late 1950s and the 1960s. Other foreign military forces, like the US, occasionally used the facilities "Whoever controls the natural resources and its trade controls the world". This is a very familiar idea among business tycoons and politicians aiming beyond borders. Maldives might not be a target for its natural resources, but it controls the routes the resources move. Maldives is famous for its beauty and peace, but when it comes to war, she can provide the best location to control all the super powers. Indeed, Maldives is a vivid diamond for great powers; a delicate diamond. Who gets the diamond? Chinese established their embassy in Maldives last year just before the SAARC Summit. They also played an observer role in the Summit. Authenticate anonymous source at Maldives National Defense Force assures that Maldives renewed the defense agreement with Beijing before the Summit but had it covered with withdrawing Chinese Project in Huvadhoo Atoll. India was concerned about Maldives ties with China developing. Former President HE Mohamed Nasheed explains to Delhi, “India does not have to worry about China” and assures moderate diplomacy and relationship. India became Nasheed’s right hand with Indian GMR on the scene. Referring to tactics of global politics and regional foreign policy, Maldives has always been moderate with all the countries, even including the controversial subject of Palestine and Israel. Maldives took maximum advantage twisting its ‘invisible’ foreign policy at times. Even now they do the same without considering sheer demographic facts that Maldives is pressed; like an ant between two elephants. The diamond is likely to break hit by strong bonded carbon compound. Maldivian politicians take advantage just for their regimen benefit. None of the experts in Maldives, where no foreign relation study institution is established unlike most of the neighboring countries, have done any study for the future in decades. Other great powers in the world will soon start their plans they might already have on the flip boards labeled “Maldives”. The vivid diamond will soon be owned, in parts cut or in full. [Editors Note: Hasan is a Maldivian Freelancer currently in Sri Lanka. Studied International Relations and Journalism; Focused on the emerging powers – China, India compete for Maldives and local politics in Maldives that goes beyond the borders. Follow him on twitter @HasanHilmy]