PARIS, May 4 — Three people have died and three are ill after a Netherlands-based cruise ship was ‌hit by a suspected outbreak of hantavirus, authorities and media reports said on Sunday.

Here is information about the virus.

Spread by rodents

Hantavirus is primarily spread by rodents ‌but can be transmitted between people in rare cases, according to the World Health Organisation.

People most typically become infected when virus in rodent droppings, saliva and urine becomes airborne, such as when areas where rats and mice have nested are swept out.

According to The Lancet medical journal, the name comes from the Hantan River area of South Korea, where the virus was identified in the 1970s.

Can be fatal

Hantavirus is a family of viruses that cause two illnesses, one that primarily ‌affects the lungs and the other that attacks the kidneys. The ⁠first gets the most attention because ⁠it has a high fatality rate of about ⁠40 per cent.

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, the ⁠respiratory illness, is most ⁠commonly found in North and South America.

According to the Canadian government, about 200 cases of hantavirus pulmonary illness occur each year worldwide.

Concert ⁠pianist Betsy Arakawa, wife of actor Gene Hackman, died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in New Mexico in 2025, according to autopsy results.

Symptoms

Hantavirus usually begins with flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue and fever, one to eight weeks after exposure, according to the CDC.

Four to 10 days later, ⁠coughing, shortness of breath and fluid in the lungs appear.

Diagnosis in the first 72 hours of infection is difficult, the CDC says, ⁠so symptoms can easily be mistaken for flu.

Treatment

There is no specific ⁠therapy for ⁠hantavirus infection, so treatment focuses on supportive care including rest and fluids. Patients may need breathing support such as a ventilator.

Prevention

Experts say exposure to hantavirus ‌can be minimised by deterring and eliminating rodents from areas where people are. Avoid vacuuming or sweeping dried droppings, which can aerosolise the virus. — Reuters

YEREVAN (Armenia), May 4 —Armenia hosts major summits today it hopes will edge the former Soviet republic closer to Europe, as Yerevan cautiously moves to loosen its long-standing reliance on Russia.

Here are five things to know about the landlocked South Caucasus country:

Between Moscow and the West 

Armenia’s constrained geography shapes a delicate diplomatic balancing act.

Landlocked and with closed borders to arch-foes Turkey and Azerbaijan, it relies on Georgia and Iran for access to global markets, limiting its room for manoeuvre.

Long anchored to Russia for security, Armenia hosts a Russian military base and remains part of Moscow’s security and economic alliances.

But ties have cooled as Yerevan questions the reliability of its traditional ally, which failed to come to its aid when Azerbaijan moved to recapture the long-disputed Karabakh region in 2023.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has cautiously deepened engagement with the European Union and the United States, seeking economic support and political backing.

Armenia—which has frozen its participation in the Russia-led collective security organisation—has avoided a full break with Moscow, reflecting both economic dependence and the realities of its volatile neighbourhood.

Star-studded diaspora 

More Armenians live abroad than in the country itself, forming a vast global diaspora estimated at eight to 10 million people compared to Armenia’s population of some three million.

Notable members include Kim Kardashian, Cher and French singer Charles Aznavour.

The diaspora swelled after the mass killings and deportations of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire during World War I—massacres which Yerevan and many historians recognise as genocide, while Turkey rejects the label.

The largest cohorts live in Russia (1.5 million), the United States (1.3 million) and France (400,000).

Armenians outside the country play a key role in the domestic economy and politics through remittances, investment and lobbying.

First Christian country 

Armenia is often described as a biblical land.

The country prides itself on being the first state to adopt Christianity as a state religion in 301 AD.

Ancient monasteries dot its rugged landscape, perched on cliffs or tucked into remote valleys.

The Armenian Apostolic Church remains a powerful institution, closely tied to language and heritage in a country that has seen centuries of foreign domination by the Persian, Ottoman and Russian empires.

In the fifth century, the Bible was translated into Armenian using the distinctive alphabet created by Saint Mesrop Mashtots.

Pedestrians walk past a poster announcing the upcoming first EU泡rmenia Summit, in Yerevan on May 2, 2026. — AFP pic

Stone fountains 

Small stone drinking fountains known as “pulpulaks” are popular across the country, from the capital Yerevan to remote mountain villages.

Fed by natural springs, they offer free, continuously flowing cold water and are typically built as public gifts, sometimes dedicated to loved ones or historical figures.

Their understated design, carved in tuff stone, blends into the landscape, with locals hailing them as a reflection of Armenia’s culture of hospitality.

Betting on a tech future 

With few natural resources, Armenia is investing in technology and education to drive growth. Building on strong Soviet-era scientific training, it has developed a vibrant IT sector and startup scene.

Armenia’s IT sector has surged since 2017. According to official figures, the number of companies rose from 650 to more than 12,000, employment nearly tripled and turnover and exports grew more than threefold, underscoring its expanding economic role.

Tens of thousands of Russians—mostly young men avoiding conscription—moved to the country after Moscow invaded Ukraine in 2022.

Many are remote tech workers, contributing to the development of the sector, though the influx has also triggered angst among locals as rent prices surged.

The government is promoting ambitious projects, including large-scale AI infrastructure, in a bid to position the country as a regional innovation hub.

The strategy aims to reduce economic dependence and offer opportunities for young people who might otherwise leave the country. — AFP

SEOUL, March 4 — A North Korean women’s football club will become the first sports team from the country to play in South Korea since 2018 when they visit this month, Seoul’s unification ministry said today.

The neighbours remain technically at war after their 1950-53 conflict ended in an armistice rather than a peace treaty, and sporting and cultural exchanges between them are very rare.

Naegohyang Women’s FC will play the South’s Suwon FC Women on May 20 in the semi-finals of the Asian Champions League.

The visiting delegation will include 27 players and 12 club staff, the ministry said. South Korea’s football association told AFP that the team would arrive on May 17.

They will fly into Incheon airport on an Air China flight from Beijing, a unification ministry official told reporters.

The winner of the match at Suwon Sports Complex, south of the capital Seoul, will play the final of Asia’s top women’s club competition against either Australia’s Melbourne City or Japan’s Tokyo Verdy Beleza on May 23.

“The losing team in the semi-final will return home on Thursday, May 21, with no third-place playoff scheduled,” the ministry said in a press release.

The match will be the first time a North Korean sports team has played in the South since shooting, youth football and table tennis delegations travelled there in 2018.

The last time Pyongyang sent a women’s football team to the South was in 2014, when the North Korean national team took part at the Asian Games in Incheon.

Founded in 2012 and based in the North Korean capital, much of Naegohyang’s squad is “made up of national team-level players”, the ministry said.

North Korea’s national team is one of the dominant forces in Asian women’s football, winning multiple international titles in recent years, especially at youth level.

The most recent one came in November last year, when they defeated the Netherlands 3-0 in the final of the U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Peace overtures 

The announcement comes as Seoul seeks a rapprochement with Pyongyang after years of bad blood.

South Korea’s dovish President Lee Jae Myung has called for talks with the North without any preconditions, saying the countries are destined “to make the flowers of peace bloom”.

The North has not responded to the Lee administration’s overtures and has repeatedly labelled the South its “most hostile” adversary.

For Seoul, the match is an opportunity to establish “at least a basic communication channel between North and South Korea”, Lim Eul-chul, a North Korea expert at the South’s Kyungnam University, said.

“It could become a chance to test peaceful coexistence,” he told AFP.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to boost his nuclear forces, and Pyongyang conducted four missile tests in April, the most in a single month for over two years.

Pyongyang has also drawn closer to Russia, sending troops and artillery shells to support its invasion of Ukraine.

Observers say Pyongyang is receiving military technology assistance from Moscow in return. — AFP

SEMPORNA, May 4 — The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) seized 575 kilogrammes (kg) of ammonia fertiliser believed to be used to produce fish bombs in a boat abandoned in the waters of Pulau Bum Bum here yesterday.

MMEA Semporna maritime zone director Cmdr (M) Amir Shubli said the seizure at 4 m occurred after a patrol detected a suspcious pump boat at 0.2 nautical miles north of the island and saw a suspect jump into the sea.

“A suspect escaped by swimming to the shore nearby, and inspections of the boat revealed 22 sacks of ammonia fertiliser with an estimated weight of about 575kg.

“The material is believed to be used for fish bombing, and using such methods is a criminal offence as it is capable of destroying the marine ecosystem,” he said in a statement here today, adding that it would cause devastation to coral reefs.

The case is being investigated under the Fisheries Act 1985 and the Control of Supplies Act 1961, he said. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 — The ringgit strengthened against regional peers at the close as investors’ risk appetite improved, underpinned by growing confidence in safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

At 6pm, the local currency also firmed to 3.9540/9575 against the US dollar from 3.9690/9740 at Thursday’s close.

The local market was closed on May 1 for the Labour Day public holiday.

SPI Asset Management managing partner Stephen Innes said the United States’ signal that it is preparing to safeguard energy shipments points to easing geopolitical tensions, giving risk assets room to recover.

According to reports, President Donald Trump said the United States would begin escorting neutral foreign vessels through the Strait of Hormuz from Monday, describing the move as a “humanitarian gesture” to protect countries caught in a conflict not of their making.

He said the United States would use its “best efforts” to guide ships and crews through the restricted passage, adding that vessels would not return until conditions were safe for navigation.

Meanwhile, Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said shipping executives remain cautious about the initiative, given limited details.

“In addition, such an act could provoke Iranian forces, leading to further escalation with the US.

“As such, traders are likely to watch Bank Negara Malaysia’s Monetary Policy Committee meeting, particularly its latest assessment of the Malaysian economy,” he told Bernama.

At the close, the ringgit traded mostly lower against a basket of major currencies.

It slipped against the Japanese yen to 2.5186/5210 from 2.4907/4942 at last Thursday’s close, depreciated versus the British pound to 5.3612/3660 from 5.3593/3661, but rose against the euro to 4.6329/6370 from 4.6417/6476 previously.

However, the local currency was firmer against regional peers.

It strengthened against the Singapore dollar to 3.1019/1049 from 3.1061/1103 at last Thursday’s close, gained against the Thai baht to 12.1460/1631 from 12.1711/1932, edged up versus the Indonesian rupiah to 227.3/227.6 from 228.7/229.2, and advanced against the Philippine peso to 6.42/6.43 from 6.45/6.47 previously. — Bernama

GEORGE TOWN, May 4 — The organisers of a hill run in which a participant died of heatstroke, the first such fatality in Penang linked to the current hot spell, have been found to have complied with all established standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Penang Youth, Sports, and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen said the organisers had provided all essential requirements, including sufficient water stations and medical teams along the route, and had acted promptly when the victim was found to be unwell.

“The victim, a 42-year-old man from Tampin, Negeri Sembilan, successfully completed the 30-kilometre category before collapsing, and the medical team immediately rushed him to the hospital for treatment, but he later passed away.

“The cause of death was confirmed as heatstroke. It is possible the man had underlying health conditions, especially as the event featured categories of up to 50 kilometres,” he told a press conference at his office in Komtar today.

The Penang State Health Department (JKNPP) reported yesterday that the victim died on April 26 following his participation in the run.

Gooi said the SOP compliance is a prerequisite for the approval of any sporting event in the state, particularly regarding the provision of medical teams for emergencies.

“To date, paramedic coverage for sporting events in Penang has been adequate. We advise the public participating in sports to remain aware of their health levels, stay hydrated, and avoid pushing themselves beyond their physical limits,” he said.

In another development, Gooi said Penang remains free from monkey malaria (Plasmodium knowlesi) infections despite a spike in cases in Sabah.

“In Penang, we have yet to record any monkey malaria cases, but the situation is being closely monitored by JKNPP,” he added.

He also said that mosquito-borne diseases, specifically dengue fever, have shown a significant downward trend in the state, with a 39 per cent decrease recorded so far compared to the same period last year.

Previously, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said that Sabah had recorded 357 cases of monkey malaria in the first four months of this year, resulting in one death. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has instructed the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) to expedite cloud seeding operations in states currently at critical levels, particularly Kedah and Perlis.

Saying the move is urgently needed to deal with current weather conditions, he also suggested the use of drone technology to overcome logistical constraints so that the operations can be carried out smoothly.

“I have instructed MetMalaysia to expedite its implementation, including exploring the use of drone technology and cooperation with various parties to address the shortage of suitable aircraft, to ensure the well-being of the people is protected,” he said in a post on his official Facebook page today.

Earlier, Anwar held a meeting with senior management of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) to review policy planning and the ministry’s priorities for the year.

Apart from weather issues, the meeting also discussed the welfare of three national elephants – Dara, Amoi and Kelat – currently in Japan.

On this matter, he stressed that the welfare of the animals must be prioritised by NRES and Taiping Zoo, alongside the need for transparent information to the public.

“Any decision and action must be based on facts and take into account the best welfare of Dara, Amoi and Kelat. Transparent and factual information must be continuously shared so that the public has a clear understanding of their condition there,” he said.

Anwar also reminded the ministry on matters of management and governance.

“In concluding the meeting, I stressed the importance of good governance, strong integrity and zero tolerance for leakages. These are the foundations of our efforts in building an inclusive, prosperous and sustainable Malaysia,” he said. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 — Bursa Malaysia ended at an intraday high on broad-based buying, reflecting improving sentiment on the local front, analysts said.

Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice-president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said key regional indices also ended higher, supported by strong gains in AI-related and technology stocks, as investors continued to rotate into growth sectors amid improving global risk appetite. 

At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 17.75 points, or 1.03 per cent, to close at 1,739.77 from Thursday’s close of 1,722.02.

The benchmark index, which opened 6.72 points firmer at 1,728.74, hit its lowest level of 1,725.01 in early trade before gaining momentum for the rest of the day.

Market breadth was positive with gainers leading losers 668 to 494. A total of 582 counters were unchanged, 877 were untraded, and 24 were suspended.

Turnover increased to 3.05 billion units worth RM2.55 billion compared with 2.91 billion units worth RM3.21 billion on Thursday.

Thong remains cautiously optimistic on the local market, supported by selective accumulation in blue chips and the improving market tone.

“However, sentiment is likely to stay measured as geopolitical tensions in West Asia remain unresolved and could lead to sudden shifts in market direction,” he told Bernama.

Meanwhile, IPPFA Sdn Bhd director of investment strategy and country economist Mohd Sedek Jantan said Malaysia Manufacturing PMI, which reached a four-year high, points to a strengthening in underlying activity and, more importantly, an improvement in business confidence.

“This suggests the recovery is becoming more durable rather than purely cyclical, supporting a rotation into mid and small-cap segments that are more leveraged to domestic demand,” he said.

Furthermore, he said the firmer tone was underpinned by improving global risk sentiment following strong earnings delivery from the US technology sector, which continues to reinforce confidence in the resilience of the global earnings cycle.

Among heavyweights, Maybank rose 20 sen to RM11.28, Public Bank added seven sen to RM4.75, Tenaga Nasional gained 26 sen to RM14.80, CIMB increased three sen to RM7.69, and IHH Healthcare climbed five sen to RM8.87.

On the most active list, Zetrix AI gained four sen to 86 sen, Pegasus was flat at half-a-sen, Malaysian Resources Corp rose two sen to 36.5 sen, GIIB was five sen firmer at 16 sen, and VS Industry shed half-a-sen to 20.5 sen. 

Among the top gainers, Malaysian Pacific Industries garnered RM1.38 to RM38.0, Hong Leong Industries gained 38 sen to RM17.70, KESM increased 32 sen to RM4.40, and Vitrox jumped 31 sen to RM5.76.

Among the top losers, Nestle slipped RM4.60 to RM103.80, Fraser & Neave dropped RM1.28 to RM30.02, United Plantations slid RM1.22 to RM30.52, and PPB eased 26 sen to RM11.26.

On the index board, the FBM Emas Index surged 124.02 points to 12,847.77, the FBM Top 100 Index soared 128.21 points to 12,689.04, the FBM Emas Shariah Index increased 106.09 points to 12,824.45, the FBM Mid 70 Index leapt 179.24 points to 18,265.21, and the FBM ACE Index perked up 17.95 points to 4,636.06.

By sector, the Energy Index fell 2.96 points to 837.71, the Financial Services Index soared 205.29 points to 20,090.32, while the Industrial Products and Services Index eased 0.09 of-a-point to 196.22, and the Plantation Index climbed 34.46 points to 8,973.77.

The Main Market volume slipped to 1.74 billion units valued at RM2.27 billion from 1.83 billion units valued at RM2.99 billion on Thursday.   

Warrants turnover expanded to 918.52 million units worth RM146.22 million from 771.93 million units worth RM101.99 million previously.  

The ACE Market volume increased to 388.84 million units valued at RM132.46 million from 308.47 million units valued at RM114.03 million last Thursday.

Consumer products and services counters accounted for 170.83 million shares traded on the Main Market, industrial products and services (387.21 million), construction (165.91 million), technology (346.47 million), financial services (49.70 million), property (318.86 million), plantation (31.68 million), real estate investment trusts (17.47 million), closed-end fund (18,400), energy (83.55 million), healthcare (58.78 million), telecommunications and media (34.32 million), transportation and logistics (37.19 million), utilities (41.45 million), and business trusts (31,800). — Bernama

SEPANG, May 4 — Ten Malaysians involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 (GSF) humanitarian mission, who were previously held by Israeli forces in international waters, are now in stable health in Istanbul and are expected to take part in a reorganised second wave of the mission.

Sumud Nusantara Command Center (SNCC) director-general Datuk Dr Sani Araby Abdul Alim Araby said all of them underwent medical checks upon arrival in Turkiye and were confirmed to have no serious injuries, despite reports they were unlawfully abducted at midnight while sailing towards Gaza.

“So far, we can confirm they are stable, remain in high spirits and have chosen not to return to Malaysia as the mission will continue. Assignments will be given from time to time,” he told a press conference here today.

He said the mission organisers are assessing the next steps, including combining flotilla assets from Greece and Turkiye to resume the voyage soon.

Sani Araby also revealed that of the 21 vessels detained on April 31, three have been successfully towed by the Open Arms vessel from Barcelona, after being found in severely damaged condition.

“One vessel, Goleta, has been confirmed sunk and is believed to have been sabotaged, while 17 others remain at sea and efforts are underway to tow them,” he said.

Sani Araby said that the mission is restructuring its logistical assets, including vessels, to redeploy activists currently in Turkiye.

“With 17 vessels still adrift and some damaged due to suspected sabotage, this is not an easy task. However, we have prepared for various contingencies since the mission began from Barcelona,” he noted.

Meanwhile, he said that of the 175 individuals detained in the incident, some were reportedly assaulted and abused, with 31 requiring hospital treatment.

“The SNCC condemns the mistreatment of two key GSF activists, Saif Abukeshek and Thiago Ávila, who were detained for more than 96 hours at Shikma Prison in Ashkelon.

“Both of them deserve a fair trial and should be released immediately without conditions,” he stressed.

Sani Araby also announced the launch of a seven-day countdown campaign as part of the second wave of #BreakTheSilent and #BreakTheSiege, calling for a united global push to intensify efforts towards the liberation of Gaza.

“During this period, we will step up our efforts and may announce the next voyage at any time,” he said.

He added that the mission has received international backing, including from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the United Nations (UN).

SNCC also urged Malaysians to continue voicing support for Palestine through various platforms, including social media, while ensuring information shared is based on credible and authoritative sources.

The public was further encouraged to perform special prayers, including solat hajat and Qunut Nazilah, as a sign of solidarity with the humanitarian mission. — Bernama

ISKANDAR PUTERI, May 4 — The Opposition Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition intends to contest all 56 state assembly seats in the upcoming Johor state election (PRN).

Johor Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) chief Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal said PN and its parties are prepared to face the state election at any time.

“PN will contest all the state constituency seats in Johor. 

“The candidates’ names list will be submitted directly to the coalition’s central leadership for final endorsement,” he told reporters at a media conference during the state legislative assembly sitting in Bangunan Sultan Ismail in Kota Iskandar here today.

Also present was the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) president Amira Aisya Abd Aziz.

Dr Sahruddin, who is also the Bukit Kepong assemblyman, said that PN are also not ruling out the possibility of a political collaboration with Muda for the upcoming state polls.

However, the former menteri besar said that the current focus is on the appointment of the Johor PN chairman’s position, which is still vacant.

“Bersatu party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has sent a letter with a proposed name on behalf of the party to PN’s top leadership.

“The letter has been sent for more than a month, pending a reply. At the moment, we are still waiting as no one has been named yet,” he said.

On Muda’s collaboration with PN in the state polls, Amira Aisya said the matter had not been finalised yet.

The Puteri Wangsa assemblyman said that the party had already initiated informal discussions with Johor PN.

“Muda will make an announcement on our decision when the time comes,” she said.

Amira Aisya also revealed that Muda plans to contest between five and 10 state seats in the upcoming Johor state election.

She said the party’s targets are mixed constituencies, involving both urban and rural areas.

On the hotly contested Puteri Wangsa constituency, Amira Aisya named herself as the incumbent candidate and added that Muda will defend the seat in the state election.

“We also welcome any party that is keen to contest in Puteri Wangsa,” she said.

Both Johor Pakatan Harapan (PH) parties, PKR and Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) are also eyeing the Puteri Wangsa seat for the coming polls.

MAY 4 — The omission of the Maldives from the Mauritius-hosted Ninth Indian Ocean Conference is not a minor diplomatic oversight. 

It is a signal — subtle yet unmistakable — that the Indian Ocean is entering a more fragmented and competitive phase of geopolitical re-alignment.

When the brilliant Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, the Indian Minister of External Affairs, appeared as a key speaker, the optics conveyed a confident India projecting leadership across the region. 

Yet leadership in the Indian Ocean cannot be reduced to visibility alone. It is measured by the ability to hold together a diverse constellation of island and littoral states whose interests, sensitivities, and strategic calculations are constantly evolving.

Exclusion, even if unintended, risks undermining that delicate equilibrium.

Mauritius has long stood as one of India’s most dependable partners, bound by deep civilisational links, economic cooperation, and political trust. It has functioned as a reliable interlocutor for India’s outreach into the western Indian Ocean and even Africa. — Pexels.com pic

India now faces a genuine dilemma between Mauritius and the Maldives — two island states that are small in geography but immense in strategic value. 

Mauritius has long stood as one of India’s most dependable partners, bound by deep civilisational links, economic cooperation, and political trust. It has functioned as a reliable interlocutor for India’s outreach into the western Indian Ocean and even Africa. 

The Maldives, by contrast, sits astride critical sea lanes that connect the energy lifelines of the Gulf to the industrial economies of East Asia. Its location alone ensures that no major maritime strategy can ignore it.

To privilege one while appearing to sideline the other is not a sustainable option.

New Delhi understands that it cannot openly take sides in any perceived diplomatic rift between these two states. 

Doing so would risk alienating one while emboldening the other, thereby weakening the broader arc of influence that India has carefully cultivated across the Indian Ocean over decades. 

Yet neither can India afford strategic silence. In geopolitics, silence is rarely neutral; it is often interpreted as hesitation or, worse, indifference.

This dilemma is further complicated by the persistent presence of China.

China’s engagement with Indian Ocean island states has been methodical and sustained. 

Through infrastructure financing, port construction, and long-term economic partnerships, Beijing has steadily increased its footprint. 

It does not require dramatic confrontations to shift the balance. Incremental gains — securing access, building trust, and offering alternatives — are sufficient to alter strategic equations over time.

In such a context, even minor diplomatic exclusions can have outsized consequences.

The Maldives is particularly sensitive to perceptions of marginalization. 

Domestic political shifts in Malé have, at various points, recalibrated its external alignments. When it feels excluded or pressured, it has demonstrated a willingness to diversify its partnerships. 

This is not unique to the Maldives; it reflects a broader trend among small states that seek to maximise autonomy by engaging multiple powers.

Mauritius, while more stable in its alignment with India, also operates within an increasingly competitive environment.

It is not immune to external overtures, nor is it indifferent to regional dynamics. 

India’s close relationship with Mauritius must therefore be managed in a way that does not inadvertently signal exclusivity.

The challenge for India is thus twofold.

First, it must prevent bilateral sensitivities from spilling over into multilateral platforms.

High powered conferences such as the Indian Ocean Conference are not merely ceremonial gatherings; they are arenas where perceptions are shaped, alignments are hinted at, and narratives of regional order are constructed. 

The absence of a key state like the Maldives sends a message — whether intended or not — that some voices matter more than others.

Second, India should reinforce its role as a convener rather than a selector.

To ensure a genuinely free and open Indian Ocean, New Delhi must demonstrate that regional forums remain inclusive spaces where all stakeholders feel represented. This does not mean diluting its partnerships or abandoning its strategic preferences. 

It means ensuring that no state feels excluded from the conversation about the region’s future.

Diplomacy in the Indian Ocean is as much about reassurance as it is about strategy.

India would be well advised to engage both Mauritius and the Maldives through quiet but sustained diplomatic efforts. 

This includes backchannel communications, high-level visits, and the careful management of regional platforms to ensure inclusivity. 

The objective should not be to eliminate differences — an impossible task — but to prevent them from hardening into divisions that external powers can exploit.

At the same time, India must recognise that the Indian Ocean is no longer a passive theatre dominated by a few major powers. It is an increasingly contested space where small states exercise agency with sophistication. 

They are adept at balancing relationships, extracting benefits, and preserving autonomy. Any perception of exclusion or favoritism can quickly alter their strategic calculus.

The concept of a free and open Indian Ocean, therefore, cannot rest on rhetoric alone. 

It must be grounded in practices that reflect openness in participation and fairness in engagement. Otherwise, the idea risks losing credibility among those it seeks to include.

The episode in Mauritius should be treated as an early warning rather than an isolated incident.

If such exclusions become a pattern, they could gradually erode trust in India’s regional leadership.

Over time, this could create openings for alternative visions of order to take root — visions that may not align with India’s interests or those of a stable maritime commons.

India still commands considerable goodwill across the Indian Ocean. Its historical ties, developmental partnerships, and security contributions remain significant assets. 

But goodwill is not a static resource. It must be constantly renewed through actions that reinforce trust and inclusivity.

Ultimately, India’s dilemma between Mauritius and the Maldives is not simply about managing two relationships. 

It is about demonstrating the kind of leadership that the Indian Ocean requires in an era of intensifying competition.

Handled with care, it can strengthen India’s position as a stabilizing force. Mishandled, it risks fragmenting the very region it seeks to unify.

In the final analysis, a free and open Indian Ocean will not be secured by power alone. It will depend on the quality of diplomacy — patient, inclusive, and attuned to the sensitivities of even the smallest states.

* Phar Kim Beng is professor of Asean Studies and director, Institute of Internationalisation and Asean Studies, International Islamic University of Malaysia. 

** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.  

ABU DHABI, May 4 — The UAE’s foreign trade minister confirmed today that his country was discussing a currency swap line with the United States, but denied seeking a bailout.

Asked whether the UAE had secured the swap line, Minister of Foreign Trade Thani Al Zeyoudi said it was still “under discussion” during a panel at the Make it in the Emirates conference in Abu Dhabi.

He denied the measure had been sought as a bailout, and said the UAE wanted to join an “elite group” of countries with existing swap lines with the US.

Last month the Wall Street Journal, citing US officials, reported that the UAE had sought the line as a financial backstop should the war in the region further strain its economy. — AFP