Results for: India-Maldives relations

Maldives President Mohammad Muizzu accepted an invitation to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony in India, despite recent diplomatic tensions between the two nations. Muizzu’s attendance follows a period of strain between India and the Maldives, marked by anti-Indian sentiments in the Maldivian cabinet and the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the country. The diplomatic row has led to a surge in Indian tourists opting for Sri Lanka over the Maldives, with Sri Lanka surpassing the Maldives in tourist arrivals for the first time in four years. Despite the tensions, the Maldives remains a popular destination for Indian tourists, with over 200,000 Indians visiting in 2023. Prime Minister Modi is expected to be sworn in on June 9th, with the ceremony attended by various regional leaders as part of India’s focus on its neighborhood and island nations in the Indian Ocean region.

Maldives President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has extended his congratulations to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on their triumph in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Muizzu expressed his anticipation to work with Modi to further shared interests and promote the prosperity of both countries. This development marks a shift in India-Maldives relations, which had experienced some strain following Muizzu’s election campaign focused on reducing Indian influence. Despite earlier tensions, Muizzu recently encouraged Indian tourism in the Maldives, highlighting the historical ties between the two nations.

In a significant development aimed at strengthening ties between India and the Maldives, plans are underway to introduce the RuPay payment service in the Maldives. The exact launch date is yet to be announced, but discussions are ongoing to explore avenues for facilitating payments in Indian rupees. RuPay, India’s indigenous card payment network, is widely accepted across the country and its implementation in the Maldives is expected to bolster the Maldivian Rufiyaa and promote bilateral trade and tourism. The Maldivian government has expressed its commitment to addressing the issue of dollar dependence and reinforcing the local currency. India and China have also agreed to cooperate in settling import payments in their respective currencies, offering the Maldives potential savings in foreign exchange reserves.

India has refuted allegations by Maldivian Defence Minister Ghassan Maumoon that Indian military helicopter pilots conducted an unauthorized operation in the Maldives in 2019. The High Commission of India in the Maldives clarified that Indian aviation platforms operate with due authorization and that the specific sortie on October 9, 2019, was approved by the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF). The clarification comes amid strained relations between India and the Maldives following the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the country. The Maldivian government had requested the removal of Indian troops, and the final group left on the agreed deadline in February. Despite the departure of Indian military personnel, the Maldives remains a crucial maritime neighbor for India in the Indian Ocean Region and holds significance in India’s regional initiatives.

The Maldivian government on Monday, May 13th, expressed gratitude to India for its vital budgetary support, terming it a testament to the longstanding friendship between the two nations. This development comes shortly after Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer visited India and met with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, indicating a positive shift in relations. India provided a budget support of USD 50 million to the Maldives, which is intended for infrastructural and community development projects. The Maldives expressed appreciation for India’s ongoing assistance, emphasizing its value in promoting mutual benefit and prosperity.

India has withdrawn all of its military personnel from the Maldives, concluding a diplomatic standoff between the two countries. The last remaining Indian soldiers departed the island nation shortly before the May 10 deadline set by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu. The troop withdrawal was a key campaign pledge of Muizzu, who is considered to be pro-China. India had agreed to withdraw its troops in order to avoid escalating tensions. Meanwhile, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with his Maldivian counterpart, Moosa Zameer, to discuss bilateral relations and regional security. The Maldives is a strategically important neighbor for India in the Indian Ocean Region.

India and Maldives held the fourth round of High-Level Core Group meetings, addressing the withdrawal of Indian military personnel by May 10th. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the progress made in this regard, with India agreeing to replace all military personnel by the deadline. The talks also covered defense cooperation and the presence of a Chinese vessel in Maldivian waters, with India emphasizing its commitment to safeguarding its national and economic security. Despite recent strains in the relationship, India continues to maintain a soft diplomatic approach and has invested heavily in various development projects in Maldives.

The People’s National Congress (PNC) has emerged victorious in the Maldives parliamentary elections, securing a significant majority that will provide President Mohamed Muizzu with substantial political capital. The ruling party’s stance against India has been a key pillar of its campaign and governance, but it’s essential to recognize that the election was largely driven by domestic issues such as corruption, economy, and political alliances.

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has hailed the outcome of the general elections as a message of autonomy and sovereignty. The pro-China leader’s People’s National Congress (PNC) secured a super majority in the People’s Majlis, strengthening his position. Muizzu highlighted the role of the election in upholding Islamic principles and emphasized that Maldivians do not want foreign coercion.