Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu received a red carpet welcome on his first state visit to India, which marked a “new chapter” in the relationship between the two countries. Muizzu, who came to power promising to remove Indian troops from the Maldives, discussed energy, trade, financial linkages, and defence cooperation with Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi. Modi assured Muizzu of India’s support for the progress and prosperity of the Maldivian people.
During the visit, India offered financial assistance to bolster the Maldives’ struggling economy. This included discussions on a currency swap agreement and development projects such as a commercial port at Thilafushi to alleviate congestion at Male’s port. The two nations also agreed to start talks on a potential free trade agreement. Modi praised the close ties between India and the Maldives, emphasizing the importance of collaboration for the future.
Muizzu expressed gratitude to India for its support, highlighting the funds provided to address foreign exchange issues and the inauguration of an Indian-supported airport runway and social housing project. He stated that the discussions held with Modi were focused on charting a path for future collaboration between the two countries. The meeting between the two leaders reflected a positive shift in their relationship following tensions over the presence of Indian troops in the Maldives.
India met Muizzu’s deadline to withdraw a contingent of soldiers stationed in the Maldives, which was a key demand of the Maldivian people. While the soldiers were removed, Indian aircraft, including helicopters and a fixed-wing plane, remained in the Maldives and are operated by civilian Indian crew. Muizzu emphasized that the actions taken were in line with the wishes of the Maldivian people and reassured India that the Maldives would not compromise the security and stability of the region.
The state visit of President Muizzu to India comes almost a year after he assumed office, which is later than the usual timeline for such visits by South Asian leaders. The delay in the visit may have been influenced by the tension over the presence of Indian troops in the Maldives. However, the positive outcomes of the visit, including discussions on economic cooperation, infrastructure development, and trade agreements, signal a renewed commitment to strengthening the ties between India and the Maldives.
Overall, President Muizzu’s visit to India represented a significant step in resetting the relationship between the two countries. The discussions and agreements reached during the visit highlighted the mutual commitment to collaboration and prosperity. The support provided by India for the Maldives’ economy and infrastructure projects reflects a positive trajectory for their bilateral ties. Moving forward, both nations are expected to work closely on a range of issues, including trade, defence cooperation, and regional stability.
