Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu is set to visit India from October 6 to 10, marking his first official bilateral trip to the country. The announcement was made by the Maldivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday. Muizzu had previously traveled to India in June this year for the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his council of ministers.
During this visit, President Muizzu will meet Indian President Droupadi Murmu and hold discussions with Prime Minister Modi on a range of bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interest. In addition to his meetings in New Delhi, Muizzu is scheduled to visit Mumbai and Bengaluru, where he will participate in business events aimed at strengthening economic ties.
Maldives holds a strategic position as India’s key maritime neighbor in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The country also plays a pivotal role in India’s vision of ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and the ‘Neighbourhood First Policy,’ both of which emphasize regional security and cooperation.
In a statement, India’s Ministry of External Affairs highlighted the significance of this visit, noting that it comes shortly after Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s trip to the Maldives in August. The ministry expressed that Muizzu’s visit will reinforce the strong ties between the two nations and boost cooperation across various sectors.
Jaishankar’s visit in August was the first high-level engagement between the two countries after Muizzu, known for his pro-China stance, took office in November last year. During that trip, Jaishankar assured Maldives of India’s continued commitment to deepening bilateral relations, particularly in the areas of development and cooperation.
However, relations between India and the Maldives have experienced some strain since Muizzu took charge, given his perceived alignment with China. Shortly after his inauguration, President Muizzu called for the withdrawal of Indian defense personnel stationed in the Maldives, signaling a shift in the country’s foreign policy approach. His upcoming visit to India, therefore, holds considerable importance in shaping the future trajectory of India-Maldives relations.
Sources By Agencies
