Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday concluded a two-day state visit to the Maldives, which featured high-level talks, the signing of multiple agreements, and participation in the country’s 60th independence anniversary celebrations.
Before his departure from Malé, Modi attended official anniversary events and met leaders from across the political spectrum, highlighting efforts to strengthen ties at a critical moment for bilateral relations.
Modi arrived in the Maldives on Friday and was formally received by President Mohamed Muizzu at Republic Square with a 21-gun salute, a guard of honour by the Maldives National Defence Force, and cultural performances. It was Modi’s first visit to the Maldives since Muizzu took office in 2023.
The visit focused on resetting ties that had strained following Muizzu’s decision to remove Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives. India has since withdrawn its troops, and both governments have signalled a willingness to re-engage.
During the visit, the two countries signed eight agreements, including an accord to begin work towards a Free Trade Agreement and a new $565 million line of credit for development projects. Other agreements cover cooperation in fisheries, climate action, digital transformation, healthcare, and the introduction of India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) service in the Maldives.
Speaking after bilateral talks on Friday, Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to supporting the Maldives, saying New Delhi “will always provide assistance … as it has done in the past.”
The visit is widely viewed as a significant step in stabilising relations and reinforcing regional security cooperation between the two neighbours.