Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu to Visit India in October to Mend Ties

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu is set to visit India in October, marking his first official trip to reset strained bilateral ties. Initially marked by an ‘India Out’ campaign, recent months have seen reconciliatory steps, including financial assistance from India and cooperation on technology and infrastructure projects in the Maldives.

Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu will visit India in the second week of October to reset bilateral relations following a tense period. This marks Muizzu’s first official visit to India since becoming president in November 2023, a tenure that began with an ‘India Out’ campaign focused on reducing Maldives' dependence on India. The visit, scheduled for October 7-9, includes meetings with Indian leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 8.

Muizzu's administration, which has been perceived as pro-China, initially strained ties with India by terminating a 2019 agreement for joint hydrographic surveys and increasing defense cooperation with China and Turkey. Tensions peaked when his government demanded the removal of 85 Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives. However, recent months have seen efforts to rebuild relations, such as India replacing military personnel with civilian experts for humanitarian missions and Muizzu’s attendance at Modi’s swearing-in.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited the Maldives in August, where both nations signed an agreement introducing India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in the Maldives and inaugurated several projects funded by Indian grants and loans. Muizzu described India as an invaluable ally, signaling a shift in tone. Moreover, India’s financial support through the State Bank of India’s extended subscription to Maldivian treasury bills worth $50 million helped the Maldives avoid default on Islamic bond payments.

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Security expert Sameer Patil noted that Muizzu's recent actions reflect a pragmatic realization of the need for balanced foreign relations, especially given the risks of over-reliance on China and the complex regional dynamics.