Maldives President Muizzu arrives in India for first state visit.
During his first state visit to India, Maldives President Muizzu is scheduled to engage in high-level meetings with prominent Indian leaders. He will meet President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and other senior officials of the Indian government. These discussions are expected to focus on strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations, addressing regional security concerns, and enhancing cooperation in various sectors such as trade, investment, defense, and infrastructure development. President Muizzu’s visit aims to further deepen the strategic partnership between India and the Maldives, reinforcing their close historical and diplomatic ties in the Indian Ocean region.
The visit, at the invitation of President Droupadi Murmu, marks an important chapter in the Maldives’ foreign policy as Muizzu seeks to strengthen the long-standing relationship between the Maldives and India.
During his visit, President Muizzu is set to engage in a series of high-level meetings with key Indian leaders. He will meet President Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and other senior officials in the Indian government, highlighting the strong diplomatic and strategic ties between the two nations. External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar will call on the visiting president later in the evening, with a ceremonial reception planned at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday. These meetings are expected to focus on enhancing bilateral cooperation in various areas, including trade, defense, investment, and infrastructure development.
One of the significant moments of Muizzu’s visit will be his tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat on Monday morning. Following this, he will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House, where the two leaders are expected to discuss pressing regional and global issues. The discussions will likely cover regional security, maritime cooperation, and enhancing economic ties between the two nations. Later in the day, President Muizzu is scheduled to meet with Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and President Droupadi Murmu.
Accompanying President Muizzu on this visit is First Lady Sajidha Mohamed, along with a high-level delegation of officials. As part of his itinerary, the Maldives president will also visit the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra on Tuesday, adding a cultural dimension to the diplomatic tour.
President Muizzu’s office released a statement on Friday, reiterating his commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with nations crucial to the development of the Maldives. foreign policy for the nation… Discussions will focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation and further enhancing the longstanding relationship between the two nations,” the statement emphasized.
India and the Maldives have shared a close diplomatic relationship for decades, with India playing a key role in the island nation’s development. Over the years, the two countries have cooperated on numerous projects, including the development of crucial infrastructure, healthcare, education, and tourism. As part of his visit, President Muizzu will also travel to Mumbai and Bangalore, where he will participate in business engagements aimed at enhancing economic cooperation between the two countries. These engagements are expected to focus on boosting trade, investment, and business partnerships between Indian and Maldivian enterprises.
President Muizzu’s visit comes at a pivotal time, as the Maldives continues to navigate its geopolitical relationships in the Indian Ocean. Earlier this year, the president attended the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Modi and the Council of Ministers at Rashtrapati Bhavan on June 9, 2024, further demonstrating the importance both nations place on their relationship. Prior to that, he met with PM Modi on the sidelines of the COP28 summit in Dubai in December 2023, indicating ongoing dialogue and cooperation on global platforms.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has highlighted the significance of President Muizzu’s visit, with spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noting last week, “The visit signifies the importance India attaches to its relations with the Maldives.
In recent years, India has maintained that the Maldives holds a strategic position in its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and the ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision, underscoring the country’s significance within the Indian Ocean region. Despite occasional strains in the relationship, India has remained a key partner in the Maldives’ development journey. India has provided substantial development assistance to the island nation, funding multiple projects that have directly benefited thousands of Maldivians. These include infrastructure development, housing, health services, and more, all aimed at improving the quality of life for the Maldivian people.
In August, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar visited the Maldives on an official three-day visit, the first since assuming office for his second term in June. This visit reinforced the importance India places on its relationship with the Maldives. Prior to that, Jaishankar had visited the Indian Ocean archipelago in January 2023, further cementing the strategic ties between the two nations. During these visits, Jaishankar reiterated India’s commitment to ensuring peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.
The Maldives’ strategic location in the Indian Ocean, a key maritime route, makes it a vital partner for India in its efforts to maintain security and influence within the region. As President Muizzu seeks to steer the Maldives through a dynamic geopolitical landscape, his visit to India will likely play a crucial role in shaping the future of Indo-Maldivian relations.
As President Muizzu’s visit continues, both nations are expected to deepen their cooperation in areas of mutual interest. This visit represents a significant step toward ensuring the Maldives continues to play a key role in India’s vision for a stable and prosperous Indian Ocean region, while also addressing the broader security, economic, and diplomatic challenges both nations face in today’s global environment.