Maldives president Muizzu visit India to mend diplomatic relations

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has embarked on his inaugural state visit to India since taking office last year. Arriving in New Delhi on Sunday, Muizzu’s five-day trip aims to strengthen the relationship between the Maldives and Asia’s third-largest economy, particularly amid an ongoing economic crisis back home.

The president is set to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior officials to focus on “strengthening bilateral cooperation and further enhancing the longstanding relationship between the two nations,” according to a statement from his office.

Ties between the two nations were strained after Muizzu publicly requested the withdrawal of Indian troops stationed in the Maldives, labeling New Delhi’s influence as a threat to the nation’s sovereignty. This demand was a central theme of his campaign with the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), which had promised to expel Indian soldiers who had been deployed for humanitarian and medical evacuations.

In a noticeable shift from traditional Maldivian diplomatic practice, Muizzu’s earlier visits to Turkey and China were perceived as a snub to India, breaking a precedent of Maldivian presidents making India their first stop after taking office.

On Sunday, India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar welcomed Muizzu, expressing optimism that the upcoming talks with Modi would provide “a new impetus” to the “friendly ties” between the two nations. This sentiment is crucial as India seeks to maintain its influence in the region, especially given China’s increasing presence in the Indian Ocean, notably in neighboring Sri Lanka.

Despite tensions, New Delhi withdrew its troops from the Maldives in March but has kept diplomatic channels open, recognizing the strategic importance of the archipelago, which sits on key east-west shipping routes. Muizzu’s visit follows a high-level meeting in August between Jaishankar and Maldivian officials, marking the first direct engagement since Muizzu’s election.

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India has invested approximately $1.5 billion in various infrastructure projects across the Maldives, highlighting its commitment to the island nation’s development. Notably, since assuming office, Muizzu has moderated his anti-India rhetoric, pledging not to upset regional stability by replacing Indian forces with Chinese troops.

“President Muizzu remains committed to enhancing bilateral ties with nations that play a crucial role in the development and growth of the Maldives,” his office stated ahead of the visit.

This diplomatic outreach comes at a critical time for the Maldives, as its foreign reserves have plummeted to record lows, and Moody’s recently downgraded the island nation’s credit rating. With tourism accounting for nearly a third of its economy, the Maldives continues to navigate complex international relations while seeking to bolster its economic stability.