India-Maldives Ties Strengthen: President Muizzu to Visit India

India has achieved a diplomatic victory by strengthening ties with the Maldives, countering Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean region. President Mohamed Muizzu will visit India on October 6-10, 2024, marking his first bilateral visit as President. This visit follows India’s External Affairs Minister’s recent trip to the Maldives, signaling the importance India places on its relationship with the island nation.

During the visit, President Muizzu will meet President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss bilateral, regional, and international issues. He will also attend business events in Mumbai and Bengaluru, further boosting cooperation between the two nations.

As a key maritime neighbor, the Maldives holds a crucial place in India’s ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision and the ‘Neighbourhood First Policy.’ President Muizzu had earlier visited India in June 2024 for the swearing-in of the Prime Minister.

India’s relationship with the Maldives has long been free of major political disputes, with the resolution of the Minicoy Island claim in 1976. India’s timely intervention during the 1988 coup attempt, and assistance during the 2004 tsunami and 2014 Malé water crisis, have solidified the trust between the two countries.

India’s rapid response during the COVID-19 pandemic, along with earlier aid such as sending 30,000 measles vaccine doses in 2020, further cements India’s reputation as the Maldives’ “first responder” in times of need. This visit is expected to further enhance cooperation and people-to-people ties.