Mohamed Muizzu inspecting a guard of honour during his welcome ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, on October 7, 2024. (Photo: Rashptrapati Bhavan)
New Delhi: The Maldivian president, Mohamed Muizzu, currently on a five-day state visit to India, held high-level meetings with Indian leaders on Monday. His visit, aimed at restoring and strengthening bilateral ties, comes after months of diplomatic strain between the two nations.
Muizzu, who assumed office in November 2023, had campaigned on a platform that included reducing dependence on India and strengthening ties with China, a stance that raised concerns in New Delhi. However, his current visit signifies a shift toward mending relations with India, the Maldives’ closest neighbour and strategic partner.
The Maldivian president was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he was received by the president, Droupadi Murmu, with the prime minister, Narendra Modu, in attendance.
Muizzu expressed his gratitude to the Indian government for its consistent support for the Maldives’ development journey and emphasized the importance of deepening ties. He conveyed optimism that his visit would open new avenues for cooperation in areas such as tourism, infrastructure development, and security.
In his meeting with Modi, both leaders discussed several key issues, including economic cooperation, climate change, and maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region. Muizzu highlighted the importance of bolstering economic linkages and improving connectivity between the two nations.
He specifically thanked India for providing financial assistance to help address the Maldives' current economic challenges.
Tourism, a vital sector for the Maldives, was a focal point of discussion, with Muizzu expressing hope that Indian tourist arrivals, which have been a significant source of revenue for the atoll nation, would see a resurgence after a period of low footfalls.
Another critical topic on the agenda was the Maldives’ debt crisis. The Maldivian economy has been grappling with mounting debt, and Muizzu sought India’s assistance in securing financial support to help stabilize the nation’s economy. In response, Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to supporting the Maldives through economic aid and investment, stressing the mutual benefits of strong economic ties.
The talks also covered regional security and cooperation in the Indian Ocean, where both nations have significant interests. India has long played a key role in ensuring maritime security in the region, and the discussions underscored the shared commitment to maintaining peace and stability. Given the Maldives’ strategic location, this aspect of the talks was crucial for both countries.
India-Maldives relations have historically been robust, characterized by economic aid, defence cooperation, and people-to-people ties. However, ties came under strain in recent times due to the Maldives' growing engagement with China and Muizzu’s “India Out” campaign during his election. Despite these tensions, both countries have maintained diplomatic channels, and Muizzu’s visit is seen as a step toward recalibrating relations.
Earlier, in an interview with TOI [archived link], Muizzu, widely perceived to be pro-China, tried to allay India’s apprehensions about the atoll nation aligning with China against India. He said, “Maldives would never do anything that undermines the security of India. India is a valued partner and friend of the Maldives, and our relationship is built on mutual respect and shared interests.”
He also said, “While we (the Maldives) enhance our cooperation with other countries in various sectors, we remain committed to ensuring that our actions do not compromise the security and stability of our region,” which reflected his country’s desire to maintain stability and security in the Indian Ocean.
This visit is Muizzu’s first bilateral trip to India since becoming president, although he had earlier attended the swearing-in ceremony of India’s new council of ministers in June 2024. He is accompanied by his wife, Sajidha Mohamed, and a high-level delegation. After his meetings in Delhi, Muizzu is expected to travel to Mumbai and Bengaluru to engage with the Maldivian diaspora and explore business opportunities.
Experts say the outcome of Muizzu’s visit will likely play an important role in shaping the future of India-Maldives relations, with both sides seeking to overcome past differences and explore new avenues of cooperation.
President Droupadi Murmu welcoming President Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives at Rashtrapati Bhavan:
LIVE: President Droupadi Murmu accorded a ceremonial welcome to President Dr Mohamed Muizzu of Maldives https://t.co/0HgT2JW1J5
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) October 7, 2024
