Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu recently returned home after concluding a significant five-day state visit to India, marking his first official trip since taking office in November 2023. The visit, undertaken at the invitation of Indian President Droupadi Murmu, focused on reinforcing the deep ties between the two neighbouring nations.
President Muizzu expressed his heartfelt gratitude to India for its continued financial assistance, particularly in critical areas that support the Maldives' development efforts.
During his time in India, President Muizzu held high-level meetings with prominent Indian leaders, including President Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. These discussions revolved around enhancing cooperation in various sectors, with a key outcome being the adoption of a comprehensive “Vision for Economic and Maritime Security Partnership.”
This agreement aims to guide and strengthen the Maldives-India relationship across sectors like infrastructure, trade, security, and development. Both countries emphasised the importance of working together to address shared challenges and promote regional stability.
A major focus of the discussions between President Muizzu and Prime Minister Modi was on social housing projects, infrastructure development, agriculture, fisheries, and trade.
They also explored opportunities for investment, human resource development, and renewable energy cooperation. Women’s empowerment and healthcare initiatives were also highlighted as areas where the two nations could collaborate. The meeting underscored India’s role as a steadfast partner in the Maldives’ development journey.
The Maldivian President specifically acknowledged India’s financial support, which included the rollover of treasury bills (T-bills) for an additional year without interest, offering relief to the island nation during challenging economic times.
In addition, India provided INR 30 billion under a bilateral currency swap agreement to help stabilise the Maldivian economy. This gesture was seen as a reaffirmation of India’s commitment to the Maldives’ economic well-being.
Beyond the diplomatic engagements, President Muizzu visited key Indian cities, including Agra, Mumbai, and Bangalore, accompanied by First Lady Sajidha Mohamed. In Mumbai and Bangalore, he attended business forums and engaged with potential investors to discuss opportunities in tourism and economic diversification.
At these events, he emphasised the Maldives’ vision for sustainable growth and urged collaboration on projects such as luxury eco-resorts, special economic zones, and integrated tourism ventures. His aim was to attract Indian investors to take advantage of the Maldives' rich potential in tourism and related sectors.
A highlight of his trip to Mumbai was the Maldives-India Tourism Networking Evening, where industry leaders from both countries explored mutually beneficial opportunities in the tourism sector.
President Muizzu’s efforts to promote the Maldives as an attractive destination for investment reflect his commitment to driving economic growth and creating jobs for his country’s citizens.
Throughout the visit, President Muizzu also took time to meet with members of the Maldivian diaspora living in India, particularly in New Delhi and Bangalore. He listened to their concerns and assured them of the government’s ongoing efforts to support its citizens abroad.
His engagement with the community demonstrated his commitment to ensuring that Maldivians living overseas remain connected to the country’s development and are well-represented.
Meanwhile, First Lady Sajidha Mohamed visited the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to explore cooperation on food safety and standards. She also revisited her alma mater, St. Joseph’s University in Bangalore, further strengthening educational ties between the two nations.
The visit came at a significant time, with the Maldives and India approaching the 60th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations in 2024. To commemorate this milestone, President Muizzu extended a warm invitation to Prime Minister Modi and President Murmu to undertake a state visit to the Maldives in the coming year.
This invitation reflected the desire to continue building on the foundation of trust and mutual respect that has defined the Maldives-India relationship for decades.
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