Ganesh Kendale
NEW DELHI: Maldivian president Mohamed Muizzu will be landing in New Delhi on Sunday for his first State visit to India.
As per media reports in the Maldives, Muizzu, his wife Sajidha Mohamed, and a high-level delegation of Maldivian government officials traveled on a special flight arranged by the Indian government, a gesture reserved for such visits by Maldivian presidents.Muizzu will receive an official welcome on Monday.
During his visit from October 6-10, Muizzu will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, external affairs minister S Jaishankar and other top ministers to discuss various bilateral, regional, and international issues. The president’s upcoming discussions are expected to lead to several agreements that could enhance bilateral cooperation.
What’s at stake
Muizzu has been criticised for pivoting his island nation sharply towards China, and eyebrows were raised in New Delhi after he decided to break tradition by not making India his first foreign visit after taking office in November last year. Instead, he initially visited Turkey and China – a significant diplomatic shift, particularly given that his administration has been perceived as pro-China and has previously campaigned on an “India Out” platform.
This change in approach had raised concerns about the future of India-Maldives relations, which had become strained following Muizzu’s election.
However, ties between the two countries have been warming up with Muizzu publicly acknowledging India’s importance, referring to it as “one of the closest allies and invaluable partners” of the Maldives. The Maldivian president’s acknowledgment of India’s role in providing aid during times of need also indicates a willingness to move past contentious rhetoric towards constructive engagement.
This shift could pave the way for a more balanced approach that respects Maldivian sovereignty while recognising India’s strategic interests in the region.
Geopolitically, the Maldives is crucial for India’s ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region) initiative and its ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’. The Maldives serves as a key maritime neighbor in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), making it strategically significant for India’s national security interests.
What’s on the agenda
The president is expected to meet EAM Jaishankar on Sunday evening. Official talks and signing of agreements with Indian leadership are scheduled for Monday.
President Muizzu will also meet with the Maldivian community living in India, on Sunday.
He will also engage in business events in Mumbai and Bengaluru, highlighting the importance of economic ties between the two nations.
The delegation accompanying president Muizzu includes foreign minister Dr Abdullah Khaleel, defense minister Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon, minister of homeland security and technology Ali Ihusaan, finance minister Moosa Zameer, health minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim, and economic development minister Mohamed Saeed.
Other key officials joining the visit are attorney general Ahmed Usham, tourism minister Ibrahim Faisal, transport & civil aviation minister Mohamed Ameen, construction & infrastructure minister Dr Abdulla Muththalib, and chief of staff at the President’s Office Abdulla Fayaz, alongside several senior officials.
Improving ties
Muizzu last visited India in June to attend the swearing in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During the visit, the two leaders met and discussed strengthening bilateral relations between Maldives and India.
The two leaders also met on the sidelines of the COP28 summit in Dubai in December last year.
Relations between the two countries had deteriorated after two Maldivian deputy ministers made defamatory comments about PM Modi and India on social media, amid ongoing discussions about the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the Maldives.
The two officials, Malsha Shareef and Mariyam Shiuna were suspended from their roles in the Ministry of Youth and later resigned on September 10 this year.
Withdrawal of Indian military personnel was a key pledge of President Muizzu, and the transition was carried out peacefully, with civilians replacing Indian troops as per the agreement between the two governments.
Muizzu’s administration has since appeared committed to mending relations with India.
