 (Commonwealth India) Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu is on his inaugural visit to India since taking office last year, signaling a strategic attempt to mend diplomatic relations with one of Asia’s largest economies amidst a challenging economic landscape back home. Muizzu arrived in New Delhi on Sunday and will engage in a series of high-level discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and key officials during his five-day visit.
The focus of the talks will be on reinforcing bilateral cooperation and strengthening the long-standing ties between India and the Maldives, as outlined in a statement from Muizzu’s office. This comes after a period of tension, particularly following Muizzu’s calls for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the Maldives, which he described as a threat to national sovereignty. His Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) campaigned on a platform of expelling Indian troops, who had been stationed in the Maldives to assist with humanitarian missions and medical evacuations.
In a notable shift from diplomatic norms, Muizzu previously chose to visit Turkey and China before India, diverging from the tradition of Maldivian presidents prioritizing India in their first international engagements. This decision reflected a complicated relationship with New Delhi, especially given India’s strategic interests in the Indian Ocean region.
Despite these past strains, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar welcomed Muizzu upon his arrival, expressing optimism that the discussions with Modi would revitalize the friendly relations between the two nations. India had previously withdrawn its troops from the Maldives in March but has maintained diplomatic engagement, aware of China‘s expanding influence in the Indian Ocean, particularly in countries like Sri Lanka.
In recent months, Muizzu has moderated his stance toward India, indicating that he does not intend to disrupt the regional balance by replacing Indian forces with a Chinese military presence. His visit to India follows an invitation to Modi’s swearing-in ceremony in June, which underscores a desire for renewed diplomatic engagement. This outreach comes at a critical time for the Maldives, as the country grapples with a significant economic crisis. Foreign reserves have plummeted to historic lows, and Moody’s has downgraded the nation’s credit rating, putting further pressure on an economy heavily reliant on tourism, which constitutes nearly one-third of its GDP.
Moreover, during his January visit to China, Muizzu secured a range of agreements spanning infrastructure, energy, marine, and agriculture, indicating a broadening of foreign partnerships. His administration appears to be seeking a balanced approach to foreign relations, aiming to engage with multiple nations while navigating the delicate geopolitical dynamics of the region.
Overall, President Muizzu’s visit to India represents both a chance to stabilize the Maldives’ economic situation and a strategic recalibration of its foreign policy, emphasizing the importance of fostering robust ties with neighboring countries that are vital to its development and security.
