The Maldives will remain committed to safeguarding India’s security and considers New Delhi a valued partner and friend, said President Mohamed Muizzu on Sunday during his first official bilateral visit to India. He emphasized that cooperation in multiple sectors, including defense, will always be a priority.
Muizzu, previously seen as favoring China and having campaigned on an India Out platform, reassured that the Maldives’ relationship with India is built on respect and shared interests. He highlighted that India has been one of the Maldives’ largest trade and development partners.
During his visit, President Muizzu met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan by President Droupadi Murmu and Mr. Modi. He also paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat before engaging in bilateral talks at Hyderabad House.
In an interview with The Times of India, Muizzu stated that the Maldives would never do anything to undermine India’s security. He clarified that while the country seeks to enhance ties with other nations, including China, this will not compromise the region’s stability. His administration is focused on a Maldives First policy, aimed at diversifying international relations and reducing reliance on any one country, but with continued respect for India’s interests.
He also extended an invitation to Indian tourists, stressing their positive contribution to the Maldives’ tourism sector, which suffered last year following a diplomatic row. Indian tourists are welcome, Muizzu said, emphasizing the vital role tourism plays in the Maldivian economy.
This visit follows a period of diplomatic tension between the two nations, particularly after comments made by Maldivian ministers about Prime Minister Modi last year. The Maldives Foreign Ministry distanced itself from those remarks, and the ministers involved either resigned or were suspended ahead of Muizzu’s visit. Additionally, the Maldives had requested the removal of 90 Indian military personnel stationed on aviation platforms gifted by India. This move raised questions, but India complied by replacing military personnel with technical staff.
Addressing this, Muizzu said that he fulfilled the wishes of the Maldivian people but underscored that India remains a crucial partner in maintaining regional security. He noted that this historic relationship is intertwined like the roots of a tree, built on centuries of exchange and shared values.
Muizzu also pointed to significant India-backed infrastructure projects, including the Greater Male connectivity initiative and the development of water and sewerage facilities across 28 islands.
The Maldives remains one of India’s key maritime neighbors in the Indian Ocean region, with bilateral ties, especially in defense and security, having strengthened significantly under the previous administration of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, during his visit to Male in August, reaffirmed the shared interest between the two nations in ensuring peace and security in the region.
