India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar landed in Male on Friday, kicking off a three-day official visit to the Maldives with the aim of resetting bilateral ties. Jaishankar highlighted the island nation’s significant role in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ vision, emphasizing its importance in regional stability and cooperation. This visit marks the first high-level trip from India since President Mohamed Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, took office last year.
Upon his arrival, Jaishankar expressed his delight on Twitter, thanking Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer for welcoming him. He underscored the Maldives’ strategic importance within India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ and ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region) policies. Zameer reciprocated the sentiment, expressing his enthusiasm on Twitter for welcoming Jaishankar and looking forward to discussions to further strengthen the historic ties between the two nations.
Jaishankar’s visit comes after a period of strained relations between India and the Maldives. Following Muizzu’s election, there were calls for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the country. While Indian military personnel were replaced by civilians by May 10 as per a mutually agreed timeline, the visit signifies India’s commitment to rebuilding trust and strengthening cooperation.
During his visit, Jaishankar is scheduled to meet with President Muizzu and engage in discussions with Foreign Minister Zameer. The agenda includes reviewing current bilateral cooperation and exploring avenues to enhance the relationship further. The visit is also expected to witness the inauguration of completed projects under the High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDP) and Line of Credit facility of EXIM Bank of India, as well as the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding on capacity building, commerce, and trade.
Jaishankar’s visit to the Maldives follows President Muizzu’s trip to India in June to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. While the visit is seen as a step towards normalizing relations, the Maldives remains a key maritime neighbor in India’s strategic vision for the Indian Ocean region. The visit underscores the importance of India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, aimed at strengthening partnerships with neighboring countries and fostering regional stability.
