New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will visit Maldives in the first high-level visit from New Delhi to Male since President Mohamed Muizzu came to power last year. Under the Muizzu government, ties between the two countries have been strained as Male inches closer into China’s orbit. However, an apparent thaw appears to be in the works following Muizzu’s presence at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony in June.
During his visit from 9-11 August, Jaishankar is expected to hold meetings with President Muizzu and Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer, as well as other top officials in Male. Sources say a visit by Muizzu to India in September is also in the works.
Since Muizzu came into power last November, his government has demanded the replacement of Indian military personnel manning three aviation platforms in the archipelago nation. The Maldivian president also picked China as his first official overseas visit upon becoming president and inked a slew of defence agreements with Beijing.
In announcing Jaishankar’s upcoming visit, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) made a note of Muizzu’s presence at Modi’s swearing-in ceremony.
“The visit follows the recent visit of the President of the Republic of Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu, to India for the swearing-in ceremony of the new Cabinet and Council of Ministers,” read the statement Thursday.
“Maldives is India’s key maritime neighbour and an important partner in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ Policy and our Vision ‘SAGAR’ i.e. Security and Growth for All in the Region. The visit is aimed at strengthening the close partnership between the two countries and to explore avenues to enhance the bilateral relationship further,” it added.
Maldives is a strategically located country in the Indian Ocean, which is critical to New Delhi’s security interests in the region. Before this summer, India had for decades maintained a military presence in the Maldives, consisting of 75 troops as well as two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft. These Indian troops were unarmed and comprised military engineers, trainers and pilots.
Gradual ‘warming’ of ties
Apart from Muizzu’s presence at Modi’s swearing-in ceremony, India-Maldives ties appear to see some gradual thawing. The Maldivian foreign minister also visited New Delhi in May.
Warm welcome to FM @MoosaZameer of Maldives on his official visit to India.
Discussions on bilateral & regional issues and seeking ways to provide impetus to our multifaceted relationship lie ahead. pic.twitter.com/jTBXjjJO9z
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) May 8, 2024
Shortly after the visit, India agreed to roll over a $50 million loan to the Maldives after the Muizzu government made a special request to “secure budgetary support” from New Delhi. The roll-over temporarily eased Male’s debt repayment schedule, which is set to spike to over $1 billion in 2026.
Earlier, India had also removed export curbs on essential goods like eggs, potatoes, onions, rice, wheat flour, sugar, and dal for Maldives. This was appreciated by the Maldivian foreign minister who thanked Jaishankar for the initiative.
I thank EAM @DrSJaishankar and the Government of #India for extending vital budgetary support to Maldives with the rollover of USD 50 million Treasury Bill. This is a true gesture of goodwill which signifies the longstanding friendship between #Maldives and #India. @HCIMaldives… https://t.co/MKeUbs6C0e
— Moosa Zameer (@MoosaZameer) May 13, 2024
(Edited by Tony Rai)
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Was the first official visit by President Muizzu made to China or Turkiye ?