Maldives President Muizzu, His Wife Arrive In India For Crucial Bilateral Meeting

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, along with First Lady Sajidha Mohamed, arrived in India on Sunday. This visit aims to mend diplomatic ties between the two South Asian countries. Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Kiriti Vardhan Singh, welcomed them. The visit marks a significant step towards improving relations that have been strained in recent years.

President Muizzu's itinerary includes meetings with President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. These discussions are expected to focus on economic cooperation and maritime security. The visit signifies a shift in Maldives' foreign policy as it seeks to balance relations with both India and China.

Focus on Economic Cooperation

The state visit is packed with key meetings and ceremonial events. On Monday, Muizzu will receive a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhawan. He will also lay a wreath at Rajghat and meet Prime Minister Modi for discussions and signing agreements. These engagements aim to strengthen economic collaboration between the two nations.

Muizzu's rise to power in 2023 was marked by an "India Out" campaign, which called for the removal of Indian military personnel from the Maldives. Despite this stance, Indian aircraft remain in the country, operated by a civilian crew. Recently, Muizzu has softened his rhetoric against India while maintaining strategic ties with China.

Improving Diplomatic Relations

In recent months, both nations have taken steps to bridge their diplomatic gap. In May, Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer visited India. This was followed by a trip to the Maldives by India's External Affairs Minister Jaishankar in August. These visits indicate a mutual desire to improve bilateral relations.

During his visit to the United States last month for the United Nations General Assembly, Muizzu clarified that Maldives' concerns were about foreign military presence rather than any specific country. "We have never been against any one country at any point," he stated during an interaction at Princeton University.

Addressing Regional Challenges

The meetings during this visit are expected to address regional challenges as well. Muizzu will travel to Mumbai and Bengaluru where he will engage with the business community and interact with the Maldivian diaspora. These visits aim to boost investment ties between India and Maldives.

In January, two junior ministers were suspended for derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Modi on social media. They resigned last month, indicating a shift in Muizzu's approach towards India. This action is seen as an effort to ease tensions with New Delhi.

India has shown its commitment to supporting its maritime neighbour by helping Maldives avoid defaulting on Islamic bond payments earlier this year. By extending treasury bills worth $50 million for another year, India demonstrated its willingness to assist Maldives financially.

This state visit is crucial for both countries as they seek to enhance their relationship further through economic cooperation and addressing shared regional challenges.