Upon his arrival in India on Sunday, Mohamed Muizzu held a meeting with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
Maldives’ President Mohamed Muizzu greets Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a handshake at Hyderabad House.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu at Hyderabad House, Delhi, on Monday. President Muizzu, who has been known for his pro-China stance, is on a five-day visit to India aimed at improving relations between the two nations after a period of diplomatic tension caused by controversial remarks from Muizzu’s ministers about PM Modi.
President Muizzu’s visit comes at a time when the Maldives is grappling with a financial crisis, with the country’s foreign currency reserves shrinking. His trip underscores efforts to rebuild ties with India amidst these economic challenges.
Upon his arrival in India on Sunday, Muizzu met with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who welcomed him and his delegation. A press release from the Maldivian President’s Office stated that Jaishankar expressed his pleasure at hosting the Maldivian President, while Muizzu thanked India for the warm reception.
On Monday, President Muizzu was also given a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, where he was received by President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed later paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.
The visit is expected to focus on strengthening bilateral ties, and the two leaders are set to hold detailed discussions at Hyderabad House.
Relations between India and the Maldives have been under strain since Muizzu’s election, largely due to his “India Out” campaign. After taking office, Muizzu called for the withdrawal of Indian troops stationed in the Maldives, reflecting his election promise to the Maldivian people.
In a recent interview, Muizzu emphasized that his request for the withdrawal was driven by the wishes of his citizens. However, he reassured that the Maldives remains committed to maintaining positive relations with India, stating, “Maldives and India now have a better understanding of each other’s priorities and concerns. Our review of past agreements aims to align them with our national interests and contribute to regional stability.” He further clarified that the Maldives’ engagement with China would not compromise India’s security.
Muizzu’s visit to India presents an opportunity for both nations to recalibrate their partnership and address mutual concerns, especially in light of the Maldives’ economic difficulties and evolving geopolitical dynamics.
