Mohamed Muizzu. (File photo)
New Delhi: The Maldivian president, Mohamed Muizzu, is on a five-day state visit to India. This will be his first official bilateral trip since assuming office last year. The visit, scheduled from Sunday to Thursday, comes at a critical juncture for the Maldives, which is grappling with economic challenges and strained diplomatic ties with India.
Muizzu’s itinerary includes meetings with the president, Droupadi Murmu, and the prime minister, Narendra Modi. The discussions are expected to cover a broad spectrum of bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interest. Key among these is the potential for a financial bailout package from India to stabilize the Maldives’ poor economic situation.
The Maldives, a popular tourist destination, has recently experienced a decline in tourists from India. This has further compounded its economic woes. According to several reports, the country’s foreign exchange reserves have dwindled to levels sufficient for only 1.5 months of imports, prompting urgent calls for financial assistance. The credit rating agency Moody’s recent downgrade of the Maldives’ credit rating has further highlighted the urgency of securing economic support.
Muizzu’s visit is seen as a strategic move to mend ties with India, following a period of tension. He fought his election last year on an “India Out” plank. Widely perceived to be “pro-China”, he called for reduced Indian influence in the atoll island. However, pundits say, the current economic realities have underscored the Maldives’ dependence on India for economic stability, infrastructure development, and security.
In addition to the high-level meetings in New Delhi, Muizzu will also visit Mumbai and Bengaluru to engage in business events and explore opportunities for economic collaboration. The visit is expected to reinforce the Maldives’ commitment to strengthening its relationship with India, despite the diplomatic strains in the one last year or so.
