Maldives President Muizzu’s Visit to India: A Turning Point in Bilateral Relations and Economic Diplomacy
Image Source: Firstpost
October 7, 2024: President Mohamed Muizzu’s visit to India, his first since assuming office in 2023, comes at a critical juncture in Maldives-India relations. His rise to power was marked by the “India Out” campaign, which sought to remove Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives. This stance strained bilateral ties between the two countries. Despite this, the visit is seen as a strategic move to mend relations and seek financial assistance for the Maldives’ growing economic crisis.
Muizzu reached New Delhi on Sunday on his first bilateral state visit—he was here four months ago to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the third Modi government. He was received at the airport by Minister of State (External Affairs) Kirti Vardhan Singh. During his five-day visit—from October 6 to 10—he will also travel to Agra, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.
The visit marks a significant shift in Muizzu’s foreign policy stance. His earlier “India Out” rhetoric is now tempered with a more diplomatic approach, emphasizing dialogue and mutual understanding. In his statements to the BBC and in New York, Muizzu clarified that his administration’s policy is not anti-India but rather one based on the Maldives’ sovereignty and independence from foreign military presence. This aligns with his “Maldives First” policy, focusing on non-interference and mutual respect in foreign relations.
Earlier, extending ‘a warm welcome’ to the President, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, said, “The visit will provide further boost to this long-standing comprehensive bilateral partnership.”
President Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed are on a state visit, Jaiswal said, at the invitation of President Droupadi Murmu. “The official welcoming ceremony will take place tomorrow. A high-level government delegation accompanies the President and First Lady,” he said.
During the visit, Muizzu will engage in discussions with Indian leadership, including President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. These meetings are expected to cover a wide range of bilateral, regional, and international issues, including security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), economic cooperation, and infrastructure development. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has expressed confidence that the talks will provide “new impetus” to the relationship.
“India is fully cognisant of our fiscal situation, and as one of our biggest development partners, it will always be ready to ease our burden and find better alternatives and solutions to the challenges we face,” Muizzu told the BBC in an email interview ahead of the visit.
The primary goal of Muizzu’s visit is to secure financial support from India to address the Maldives’ worsening fiscal situation. With foreign exchange reserves dwindling to $440 million, barely enough for six weeks of imports, and looming debt repayment obligations of $600 million by 2025, Muizzu is seeking to avert a debt crisis. While the Maldives is not currently facing a sovereign debt default, the country is under pressure as credit rating agency Moody’s downgraded its credit rating, citing increased default risks.
Muizzu has expressed confidence that India will ease the Maldives’ financial burden, particularly as India is fully aware of the situation and has historically provided assistance.
The importance of India-Maldives relations is underlined by India’s strategic focus on the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The Maldives holds a crucial position in India’s vision of “SAGAR” (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and the “Neighbourhood First” policy. As such, India is eager to stabilize and strengthen ties with the Maldives, especially given the region’s geopolitical importance and China’s increasing influence.
The visit follows several high-level exchanges between the two countries, including Jaishankar’s visit to Male earlier this year and Muizzu’s attendance at Modi’s swearing-in ceremony. These interactions suggest a warming of relations and a shared commitment to overcome past tensions.
“The visit of President Muizzu to India after the recent visit of the External Affairs Minister to the Maldives is testimony to the importance that India attaches to its relations with the Maldives and is expected to lend further momentum to cooperation and robust people-to-people ties between the two countries,” the MEA said.
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