President Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed returned to the Maldives on Thursday following a five-day state visit to India, marking his first state visit since taking office in November 2023.
The visit, which took place from 6 to 10 October at the invitation of Indian President Droupadi Murmu, saw President Muizzu engage in high-level discussions with Indian officials, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Talks focused on enhancing the countries’ bilateral relations, with an emphasis on economic and maritime security cooperation.
A key outcome of Muizzu’s state visit was the adoption of a new framework, “A Vision for Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership,” which will guide future collaboration in sectors such as infrastructure, renewable energy, healthcare, and trade.
During the talks, Muizzu expressed gratitude for India’s financial support, including the rollover of T-bills by one year without interest and an additional INR 30 billion ($400 million) under a currency swap agreement. The two countries also discussed ongoing projects in social housing, agriculture, and fisheries while exploring new areas for cooperation.
President Muizzu’s itinerary included stops in Agra, Mumbai, and Bangalore, where he participated in business forums and promoted investment opportunities in Maldives’ tourism, special economic zones, and eco-friendly resorts.
As the Maldives and India approach the 60th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations in 2025, Muizzu extended invitations to President Murmu and Prime Minister Modi to visit the Maldives.
The visit came after a period of diplomatic tensions between the two countries. Ties between the neighbours had been at a historic low early in Muizzu’s administration, following his election on the heels of the then-opposition’s “India Out” campaign, which had fuelled anti-Indian sentiment. Relations were further strained when President Muizzu, in defiance of recent tradition, chose not to make India his first stop after taking office. Instead, he made an official visit to China before visiting India.
Tensions escalated further after three Muizzu administration officials mocked and insulted Prime Minister Modi, triggering a backlash from Indian social media influencers and celebrities, who called for a boycott of the Maldives. This led to a significant reduction in Indian tourist arrivals to the Maldives.
Despite these tensions, Indian government officials maintained a diplomatic stance, using neutral and civil language when commenting on the visibly declining relationship. Diplomatic engagement between the two nations showed signs of improvement after foreign ministers from both countries exchanged official visits. Additionally, India extended a financial olive branch by rolling over a US$50 million payment due by the Maldives this year to 2025.
President Muizzu’s visit to India highlighted the importance of ongoing cooperation with the neighbouring power, with officials describing it as ‘a positive step towards deeper bilateral engagement.