Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu to Visit India from October 6-10, Marking His Second Trip in Four Months
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu is set to visit India from October 6 to 10, marking his second visit to New Delhi within four months. Muizzu had previously visited India in June 2024 to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony. This upcoming trip will be his first bilateral visit to India.
During his stay, President Muizzu will meet with President Droupadi Murmu and engage in discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on various bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interest. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs released a statement confirming these meetings, emphasizing the importance of the dialogue between the two nations.
Strategic Importance of the Maldives for India
President Muizzu will also visit Mumbai and Bengaluru, where he is expected to participate in business events. The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted the strategic importance of the Maldives as a key maritime neighbor in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), playing a vital role in Prime Minister Modi’s "SAGAR" initiative (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and India's "Neighbourhood First Policy."
The Maldives holds a special place in India's regional strategy, making this visit an important diplomatic engagement for both countries.
Tensions Between India and the Maldives
Muizzu’s rise to power has brought some tensions to India-Maldives relations, given his association with the "India Out" campaign, which called for the removal of Indian military personnel and staff from the Maldives. Diplomatic friction also surfaced after some Maldivian cabinet ministers made derogatory comments about Prime Minister Modi, following social media posts where Modi promoted the Lakshadweep Islands.
In response, these ministers were removed from the cabinet, and efforts have since been made to repair strained relations. The Maldives has acknowledged India's significant role in its economic development, security, and infrastructure projects, and both sides have been working to rebuild trust.
Recent Diplomatic Engagements
In a further effort to strengthen bilateral ties, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited the Maldives in August, an event hailed by Malé as a "milestone" in bilateral relations. President Muizzu's upcoming visit is expected to solidify these efforts, providing a platform for continued dialogue on cooperation and regional security.
