India (Commonwealth Union)_ Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the Maldives on a two-day state visit was seen as a major diplomatic reset in India-Maldives ties. The visit, accompanied by important officials such as External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, coincides with the 60th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties between the two nations. This visit was especially significant since it coincided with the Maldives’ 60th Independence Day festivities, and Prime Minister Modi was invited as the Guest of Honor, a move interpreted by many as a sign of improving relations after a period of animosity between the two countries.
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A warm welcome in Male
Prime Minister Modi was welcomed with full state honors upon landing at Velana International Airport. The ceremonial reception continued in Malé, and Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu greeted him at Republic Square. The welcome event featured traditional music and a performance by local schoolkids, followed by a dignified guard of honor by the Maldivian National Defence Force. Additionally, in a gesture of respect, a portrait of the Indian Prime Minister was prominently displayed atop the Maldives Defence Office building, which garnered wider attention and amplified the importance of his visit. Traditional Maldivian music, as well as chants of “Vande Mataram,” filled the city, showing a spirit of mutual respect and cultural ties. The enthusiastic greeting set the tone for the next two days, which included high-level discussions, symbolic gestures, and significant project announcements.
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Attending 60th Independence Day
Saturday marked the 60th Independence Day of the Maldives, with Prime Minister Modi participating as the chief guest at national celebrations. A commemorative postage stamp was released in coordination with President Muizzu to commemorate the two countries’ 60-year diplomatic relationship. The new stamp design celebrated India and the Maldives’ common marine history. It displayed the Uru, a huge handcrafted wooden watercraft from Kerala’s Beypore, and the Vadhu Dhoni, an ancient Maldivian fishing boat.
Both warships represent the centuries-old Indian Ocean trading routes that have historically linked the two countries, both culturally and commercially. Prime Minister Modi expressed thanks for the warm greeting on social media site X, as well as his expectation that bilateral ties will continue to strengthen. “Deeply honored to be part of the Maldives’ Independence Day celebrations. Our talks were productive, and I am confident our partnership will reach new heights,” he wrote.
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Focused diplomatic engagement
The heart of the visit lay in a series of official discussions between Prime Minister Modi and President Muizzu. Their talks focused on a broad spectrum of shared priorities, including economic cooperation, climate resilience, defense, trade, tourism, and digital transformation. Among the major outcomes was the decision to begin negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the Maldives.
In addition, the Maldivian government and the Export-Import Bank of India signed two significant credit agreements: a $565 million umbrella deal and an amendment to an existing dollar credit line. India has granted a line of credit of ₹4,850 crore (about USD 580 million) to boost the Maldives’ economic growth, especially as the island nation faces a twin deficit issue. Notably, this was the first time India provided such a loan facility in Indian rupees, highlighting the growing strategic economic links.
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New projects and MoUs
A series of bilateral Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were exchanged, touching on key sectors like fisheries, aquaculture, environmental monitoring, digital public infrastructure, and cross-border payments. Accordingly, one MoU stood out, a commitment to share India’s successful digital governance tools with the Maldives, potentially revolutionizing public service delivery in the island nation. Additionally, several India-funded projects were jointly inaugurated via video link. These included the Addu Roads Project and the formal handover of 4,000 housing units, part of a broader housing initiative facilitated during President Muizzu’s earlier visit to India. Six high-impact community development projects were also launched, ranging from gyms and youth centers to fish processing units.
Furthermore, to promote healthcare collaboration, India provided two Aarogya Maitri Health Cubes, which are cutting-edge mobile medical units designed for emergency response. The Maldives Emergency Medical Service will oversee these units, which are designed to strengthen the country’s ability to respond promptly to health crises. The leaders also jointly opened the newly completed Dhoshimeyna Building, which will now serve as the headquarters for the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), showcasing the growing defense alliance. Additionally, Prime Minister Modi and President Muizzu added a symbolic dimension to their trip by participating in a tree-planting ceremony in Sultan Park as part of India’s “Ek Pedh Maa Ke Naam” and the Maldives’ “Pledge of 5 Million Trees” programs. This joint environmental project demonstrated their commitment to sustainability and climate resilience.
Strengthening tourism and people-to-people ties
As a major contributor to the Maldivian economy, tourism remained a focal subject throughout the visit. Accordingly, President Muizzu highlighted India’s role as a major tourist partner and expressed hopes that Prime Minister Modi’s current visit will take this relationship to new heights and boost the tourism sector. “India is one of the most important contributors to the Maldives’ tourism sector. With the Prime Minister’s visit, we expect a positive boost in tourist arrivals and deeper people-to-people connections,” Muizzu stated. Additionally, efforts are already underway to expand air connectivity between Indian cities and the Maldives, including new routes from Delhi, Mumbai, and Lucknow, moves that are expected to facilitate greater travel and tourism exchange.
A diplomatic reset in motion
This visit marks a significant improvement in India-Maldives relations, particularly following a difficult period last year. Tensions had risen following Muizzu’s India Out campaign, which was followed by contentious statements by several Maldivian politicians about Prime Minister Modi’s promotion of Lakshadweep as a tourist destination, which sparked outrage and harmed Maldives tourism, ultimately straining India-Maldives relations. However, Modi’s diplomatic handling of the issue worked out in his favor, resulting in the Maldives inviting Modi as the guest of honor to the Maldives’ 60th Independence Day festivities. Notably, the warmth shown during his visit signifies a thaw. The diplomatic message was clear: both countries are ready to move forward.
In a major declaration, President Muizzu stated, “Maldives will not do anything that would harm India’s security interests,” assuring his government’s commitment towards regional stability and friendly ties with its closest neighbor. The two-day visit concluded with a state luncheon held by President Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed in honor of Prime Minister Modi. Senior Maldivian officials and members of the Indian team attended the celebration, which marked the end of a visit characterized by restored confidence and mutual respect.
A new chapter begins
Prime Minister Modi’s visit not only reset the tone of bilateral relations, but it also reinforced India’s position as a reliable development partner in the Indian Ocean region. With new agreements signed, projects underway, and political links rebalanced, both countries are set to enhance cooperation in the coming years. “Our nations continue to work closely in sectors like infrastructure, technology, climate change, energy, and more. This is greatly beneficial to our people. We look forward to deepening this partnership in the years to come,” Modi said.
