Maldives President Muizzu is set to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Monday in an effort to mend strained diplomatic ties between the two countries. Since coming to power last year, President Muizzu has faced challenges in relations with India, and this meeting aims to address and improve those issues.
During his visit, President Muizzu and Prime Minister Modi are expected to engage in discussions covering a range of topics, including bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interest. The talks will also involve meetings with senior Indian officials over the course of President Muizzu’s five-day visit to India.
Tensions between India and the Maldives have escalated since President Muizzu, known for his pro-China stance, defeated the India-friendly incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in the 2023 elections. The strained relationship was further exacerbated when President Muizzu expressed intentions to expel Indian soldiers deployed in the Maldives for humanitarian assistance, leading to their replacement with civilian experts by New Delhi.
Further friction arose in January when Maldivian leaders criticized Prime Minister Modi for promoting India’s Lakshadweep archipelago for tourism, seen as a move to divert Indian tourists from the Maldives. This action led to protests and calls for a tourism boycott by Indian celebrities, impacting the tourism-dependent Maldivian economy.
President Muizzu’s visit to China before India in January, along with plans to reduce dependence on India for essential supplies, added to the strained relations. However, a positive shift occurred following President Muizzu’s attendance at Prime Minister Modi’s June swearing-in ceremony, leading to a decrease in anti-Indian rhetoric and increased official-level engagement between the two countries.
India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar expressed confidence that the discussions between President Muizzu and Prime Minister Modi would give a new impetus to the friendly ties between India and the Maldives. The strategic location of the archipelago nation in the Indian Ocean has made it a focal point for regional power competition between India and China.
India has historically been a significant provider of development assistance to the Maldives, including infrastructure projects and healthcare services. On the other hand, the Maldives’ participation in China’s Belt and Road initiative reflects the expanding influence of China in the region. President Muizzu’s visit holds importance for Prime Minister Modi amidst changing dynamics in the neighbourhood, with pro-China leaders taking charge in Sri Lanka and Nepal, and India-friendly leadership transitions in Bangladesh.
Maintaining close ties with countries in its traditional sphere of influence, including the Maldives, remains crucial for India’s regional diplomacy. The meeting between President Muizzu and Prime Minister Modi is seen as a step towards building stronger relations and fostering cooperation between the two nations.