Maldives President Muizzu to visit India in October
Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu is set to visit India in the second week of October, marking a significant step toward mending bilateral relations. The trip follows a period of tension between the two nations, largely due to Muizzu's "India Out" campaign and efforts to lessen Maldives's dependence on India. This will be his first bilateral visit since assuming office in November 2023.
A step toward mending ties
Muizzu's visit to India is scheduled from October 7 to 9, with meetings planned with Indian leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on October 8. This trip follows his previous visit for PM Modi's swearing-in ceremony on June 9. The Maldivian President's upcoming visit is seen as an attempt to reset bilateral ties after a period of discord.
Maldives's shift in foreign policy under Muizzu
Under Muizzu's leadership, the Maldives has seen a significant shift in its foreign policy. His government, perceived as pro-China, ended a 2019 agreement with India for joint hydrographic surveys last December. This was followed by measures to enhance defense cooperation with China and Turkey. However, recent months have shown signs of improvement in the overall relationship between India and the Maldives.
Recent developments signal improved India-Maldives relations
Signs of a thaw in India-Maldives relations became evident when Muizzu described India as "one of the closest allies and invaluable partners" of the Maldives during a meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The Indian side has also assisted the Maldives in avoiding default on its Islamic bond payments by extending the State Bank of India's (SBI) subscription to government treasury bills worth $50 million for another year.
