President Mohamed Muizzu's four-day state visit to India seeks to heal strained relations and strengthen cooperation, particularly in infrastructure and regional stability. As Maldives grapples with economic challenges, Muizzu emphasizes India as a vital partner, reassuring that their actions will not compromise India's security.
Maldives' President Mohamed Muizzu embarked on a significant four-day state visit to India, landing on Sunday with the goal of reinforcing the bond between the two nations amid current economic difficulties faced by the Maldives. The visit includes crucial meetings with Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which are anticipated to yield agreements, particularly in the infrastructure domain, reinforcing the bilateral relationship.
President Muizzu’s inaugural state visit symbolizes a remarkable turnaround in the relations between India and Maldives, which have historically been strong. He noted in an exclusive interview that the Maldives will always prioritize the security interests of India and expressed confidence that his government’s foreign engagements would not jeopardize regional stability.
While enhancing ties with various nations, Muizzu assured that the Maldives would continue to foster its strategic partnership with India. He emphasized that the Maldives First policy would not detract from its longstanding relationship with India but rather enhance mutual cooperation, underlining both nations' shared interests in ensuring regional peace.
Speaking about defense ties, Muizzu acknowledged India's role as a pivotal development partner while asserting that any review of past agreements would be conducted to ensure alignment with Maldives' national interests. The president stated that his government's actions, including the withdrawal of Indian troops, were in response to local sentiments and were crucial to addressing domestic priorities, even as he committed to sustaining strong defense collaboration.
This visit is not merely ceremonial; it signifies Maldives' aspirations for continued economic support from India amidst a financial crisis. Muizzu expressed confidence in the progress of key initiatives, such as the Greater Male Connectivity Project, that aim to enhance economic cooperation and foster growth. He acknowledged the restructuring of credit arrangements as a step towards smoother project execution, highlighting the importance of ongoing collaboration with India.
China’s increasing presence in the Maldives was acknowledged by Muizzu, yet he reassured that the Maldives would refrain from actions that could potentially undermine India’s security interests. The president also addressed concerns over the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China, emphasizing the Maldives’ commitment to economic sovereignty while engaging in balanced trade practices that would benefit its citizens.
Reflecting on the journey of bilateral relations, Muizzu stated that while it is essential for the Maldives to diversify its international relationships, the strategic partnership with India would remain a priority. He reiterated his government's commitment to welcoming Indian collaboration, ensuring that ties would continue to grow amidst the backdrop of geographical proximity and historical connections, fostering people-to-people engagement.
President Muizzu's visit stands as a testament to the resilience of Maldives-India relations. His administration seeks to navigate the delicate balance between fostering international collaborations while ensuring national interests and regional stability are upheld. As the visit progresses, both nations look forward to strengthening their long-standing ties rooted in mutual respect and shared aspirations for development.
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