“India Never Let Us Down”: Maldives Hails PM Modi’s Visit

• PM Modi to visit Maldives July 25-26, signaling reset in ties.
• Visit follows a year of diplomatic strain and Maldivian pivot towards China.
• India recently rolled over a $US 50 million Treasury bill for Maldives, showing crucial financial support.

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 23rd July: A year after a diplomatic storm strained relations, ties between India and the Maldives appear to have undergone a significant reset, marked by an upcoming visit from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Male on July 25 and 26. This will be the first time President Mohamed Muizzu hosts a foreign head of state, signaling a renewed phase of engagement.

The visit comes after a period of geopolitical shifts, where the island nation seemed to lean towards China, following critical comments about Prime Minister Modi by three Maldivian ministers in late 2023. These events had raised red flags in Delhi, especially after President Muizzu’s “India, out” election platform aimed at removing Indian military personnel and his subsequent diplomatic overtures towards Beijing, including a Chinese “research vessel” docking in February 2024.

However, a visible improvement in relations began with India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to the Maldives in August last year, followed by President Muizzu’s trip to Delhi in October. During that meeting, Muizzu reassured PM Modi, stating, “The Maldives will never do anything to undermine the security of India. While we enhance cooperation with other countries… we remain committed to ensuring our actions do not compromise the security and stability of our region.”

Ahead of PM Modi’s visit, India demonstrated crucial financial support by rolling over a $US 50 million Treasury bill for another year, a move vital for the Maldivian economy. Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed underscored India’s critical support, stating, “If not for India, we would have gone default,” highlighting the country’s recent economic concerns. He added that while past election cycles sometimes caused a swing between pro-China and pro-India stances, Maldives has “always maintained an India-first foreign policy.”

During his two-day visit, Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate various development projects funded by India and will be the Guest of Honour at the Maldives’ 60th Independence Day celebrations on July 26. Bilateral talks with President Muizzu are also scheduled, where national security concerns in the strategically vital Indian Ocean Region will undoubtedly be a key discussion point.

Former Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid lauded India’s historical role as a reliable “first responder” in times of emergency. “The relationship between Maldives and India has always demonstrated India is the first responder. Whenever we dial the international line India responds, first,” he said, citing India’s generosity and geographical proximity.

Despite the recent diplomatic tensions, Mr. Shahid emphasized the enduring “people-to-people” relationship between the two nations, which he believes forms a “solid foundation” irrespective of government changes. India was, notably, among the first countries to recognize Male after its independence.

This significant visit, scheduled right after PM Modi’s trip to the United Kingdom for the signing of an India-UK free trade deal, underscores India’s commitment to its “Neighbourhood First” policy and Vision MAHASAGAR, reaffirming its strategic focus on the Indian Ocean region.