Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu arrived in India on his first state visit since coming to power last year, aiming to repair strained ties with India. Ties were strained after Muizzu asked India to remove its soldiers from the island nation, but he has since toned down his anti-India rhetoric. The two nations will focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation during the five-day visit.
India has invested close to $1.5 billion in various infrastructure projects in the Maldives, and New Delhi withdrew its troops in March while remaining wary of China’s growing presence in the region. Muizzu’s visit to Turkey and China had been seen as a snub to India, but it appears he is now committed to enhancing ties with nations crucial for the Maldives’ development.
Since taking office, Muizzu has faced an economic crisis with record-low foreign reserves and credit rating downgrades. The country relies heavily on tourism, and strategic partnerships with countries like India and China are crucial for its economic growth. The Maldives is strategically located along key international shipping routes and has signed various deals with China for infrastructure and energy projects.
Muizzu’s visit to India is seen as a positive step towards improving relations and enhancing cooperation between the two nations. Both sides are optimistic about the talks and hope to give a new impetus to their friendly ties. India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar welcomed Muizzu to New Delhi and expressed confidence in the visit’s potential to strengthen the relationship.
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