New Delhi [India], July 22 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a historic state visit to the Maldives later this week, his first since President Mohamed Muizzu assumed office in November 2023. Modi has been invited as the Guest of Honour for the island nation’s 60th Independence Day celebrations on July 26.
The visit comes at a significant moment as India and the Maldives also mark the 60th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations. The trip is expected to see the signing of several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) that will further strengthen the development partnership India actively pursues under its Neighbourhood First policy.
This will be Modi’s third visit to the Maldives, and notably, the first by any head of state or government during Muizzu’s presidency.
India and the Maldives have maintained sustained high-level engagements, with New Delhi playing an active role in supporting its maritime neighbor’s development. In May, the two countries held a High-Level Core Group (HLCG) meeting to monitor progress under the India-Maldives Vision Document on Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership. The meeting, led by Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel, focused on intensifying cooperation in political, defense, economic, health, and people-to-people exchanges.
Also in May, India extended financial support to the Maldives by rolling over a USD 50 million Treasury Bill—part of a unique government-to-government arrangement serving as emergency financial assistance.
India has also committed to ensuring a steady supply of essential medicines to the Maldives through HLL Lifecare Limited, a Government of India enterprise, tapping into its extensive Janaushadhi network, which supplies over 2,000 quality-assured generic medicines and 300 surgical items.
Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed has underscored the importance of India-Maldives relations, saying, “I don’t think Maldives can prosper without very good relations with India. Our safety, security, and prosperity rely on our good relations with India.”
The two countries share a robust defense partnership. In January, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the Maldives, where India handed over defense equipment and reiterated its commitment to supporting the Maldives National Defence Force with capacity-building projects, equipment, and training. “India will continue to support the Maldives on its development needs and welfare of its people,” Singh stated at the time.
Digital and financial cooperation have also advanced under the partnership. In October 2024, during President Muizzu’s visit to India, the RuPay card was launched in the Maldives to facilitate easier payments for both Indian tourists and Maldivian visitors to India.
The two nations have articulated their shared vision through the India and Maldives: A Vision for Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership, which encompasses cooperation across defense, trade, infrastructure, and more.
Ongoing projects under the development partnership have already delivered tangible benefits to Maldivians, spanning ports, airports, housing, hospitals, roads, sports facilities, schools, and water and sewerage systems.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the Prime Minister’s visit reflects the importance India attaches to its maritime neighbor, noting that the Maldives continues to hold a special place in India’s Neighbourhood First policy and Vision MAHASAGAR. (ANI)
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