In an effort to mend the recently strained relationship with New Delhi, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu paid a state visit to India from October 6-9.
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| Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Mohamed Muizzu in New Delhi, October 7. (Source: x.com/MMuizzu) |
This is President Mohamed Muizzu's first bilateral visit to the important neighboring country since taking office last November. Unlike his predecessors, Muizzu did not visit India after assuming office, instead opting for China and Turkey on a trip earlier this year. In June, President Muizzu did visit New Delhi, but only to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Stretch marks
Maldives and India have long enjoyed close neighborly relations and close cooperation, particularly in security and defense. For many years, Maldives has considered India its primary security partner, while New Delhi has consistently recognized Maldivian Peninsula as holding a special place in its "Neighbor First" foreign policy.
However, this once warm relationship has been strained since Muizzu, during his 2023 election campaign, pledged to end the Indian military presence. The rift between Male and New Delhi deepened when Muizzu became president. He began implementing what he had promised voters regarding his "India Out" policy and demonstrated a "pivot" closer to China.
In fact, during his "exceptional" visit to Beijing in January, Muizzu declared that "Maldives will not be bullied" and "is not another nation's backyard," while outlining a plan to free the island nation from its dependence on India for healthcare , medicines, and essential imports.
Tensions between the two countries have once again dominated media coverage after three deputy ministers from the Maldivian Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts criticized Prime Minister Modi's visit to the Lakshadweep atoll in India to promote domestic tourism . This move led to a boycott of Maldivian tourism among the Indian community, causing the number of Indian tourists to the "paradise on earth" to drop from first place in 2023 to sixth place in the Maldivian tourism market rankings.
Relations between the two countries gradually improved when President Muizzu visited New Delhi to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi's inauguration in June, and Foreign Minister S Jaishankar visited the Maldives two months later. Prior to that, Muizzu had suspended and ordered an investigation into three officials who had made critical remarks about Modi.
Ahead of his visit to New Delhi, President Muizzu told the press that Maldives does not act to undermine India's security or harm regional stability, and that it still considers New Delhi its most important partner and that cooperation with India is a "top priority".
"We can't be separated"
In New Delhi, President Muizzu met with his counterpart Droupadi Murmu, held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, issued a joint statement, and witnessed the signing of several cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding (MOUs). Afterwards, he traveled to Mumbai and Bengaluru, attending a business forum and meeting with the Maldivian community there.
According to the Times of India, during talks with the guest from the beautiful island nation, host Prime Minister Modi emphasized the importance of Maldives in India's Neighborhood First policy and the Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) vision, while reaffirming his commitment to supporting Maldives' development based on the island nation's priorities.
For his part, the President of Maldives reaffirmed that cooperation with India remains a "top priority." Acknowledging India's unwavering support during times of need, President Muizzu thanked Prime Minister Modi, the government, and the people of India for their generous support and cooperation with Maldives over the years.
President Muizzu praised New Delhi's decision to increase support for Male in the form of a bilateral currency swap agreement worth $400 million and 30 billion rupees, saying that this "one-off" move would help address some of Male's financial challenges. Maldives' public debt currently stands at around $8 billion, including $1.4 billion owed to India and China.
The two leaders pledged to enhance cooperation in the security and maritime sectors. India will continue to provide expertise and participate in joint efforts to help Maldives address traditional and non-traditional maritime threats. Both sides agreed to develop a modern commercial port on Thilafushi Island to alleviate congestion at Male port and to maximize the capacity of the developing Hanimaadhoo and Gan airports, which are being developed with Indian support.
Furthermore, both sides agreed to initiate discussions on a bilateral free trade agreement, implementing trade payments in each country's domestic currency to strengthen trade links and reduce excessive dependence on foreign currencies. In addition, the leaders of the two countries agreed to promote investment and enhance cooperation in tourism, agriculture, fisheries, oceanography, green economy, research and development, etc. President Muizzu also invited more Indian tourists to visit this "paradise on earth" in the Indian Ocean.
Observers believe that the veiled messages and achievements of President Muizzu's visit indicate Male's "return" after rifts with New Delhi, and that the two sides "cannot be separated." Warming relations with this important neighbor could help Maldives avoid the imminent threat of default and gradually bring the intertwined relationship back on track, creating a more balanced relationship with the growing powers in the region.
Source: https://baoquocte.vn/tong-thong-maldives-tham-an-do-no-luc-han-gan-va-can-bang-289547.html
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