Maldivian President Mohammed Muizzu is in India on a state visit, marking a significant moment in bilateral relations as diplomatic ties between the states were severely hit after three Maldivian ministers made derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Modi. Mr Muizzu has sought a Rs 3,000 crore currency swap deal with India to boost Maldives’ foreign exchange reserves amid the economic crisis.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri informed the media about the bilateral talks between the leaders of the countries.
A journalist asked Mr Misri in Hindi about the change in India-Maldives relations and said, “Sir, this is Maldives.” Distance turned into closeness, what a coincidence(Differences with Maldives have turned into closeness. Do you think it’s a coincidence?) To which Misri replied in Hindi, “distances, viewpoints, coincidences…I don’t think you can add more names of Hindi movies in one question, but I would say, “Yaarana Chalta Rahega”.
#Watch Delhi: When asked about India-Maldives relations, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri says, “…in my answer I only say that friendship will continue.” pic.twitter.com/SoKcTuyOW0
– ANI (@ANI) 7 October 2024
Mr Misri further explained about the relations between India and Maldives, “It is a very old relationship. It has many very important pillars, trade, economic, developmental, people-to-people relations, defense and security are also part of it. Are.” With this visit we seek to strengthen this already strong relationship which is based on the many shared concerns and interests that exist there, with India being one of the largest trade and development partners of the Maldives.”
#Watch Delhi: On India-Maldives relations, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri says, “It is a very old relationship, a historical relationship and it has many important pillars, trade, economic, developmental, people-to-people ties, defense and security.” … pic.twitter.com/GgeODn9OxX
– ANI (@ANI) 7 October 2024
“We are making progress on a number of development projects in the Maldives. Today both leaders recognized the importance of this relationship, particularly given the geographical proximity that exists between the two countries and the many ways in which the relationship is mutually beneficial,” he said. Said further.
Read more: Huge currency swap deal to help Maldives build foreign exchange reserves
Mr Muizzu reached Delhi on Sunday evening and after a day’s rest, he was formally welcomed at the Raj Bhavan by President Draupadi Murmu and the Prime Minister, after which he paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at the Rajghat and then met with the Prime Minister. Modi.
In a joint statement after the two leaders met, Prime Minister Modi underlined New Delhi’s status as a “close friend” of the island nation, stressing its ‘neighbourhood first’ foreign policy that has helped India in achieving its goals in India. Seen acting as ‘first responder’ to emergency situations. Men, which also includes the supply of Covid vaccines.
“Be it essential commodities, vaccines during Covid, or drinking water… we have played the role of a good neighbour,” he said. He said India also today inaugurated the Hanimadhoo International Airport on Haa Dhaalu Atoll. Virtually inaugurated and before that, more than 700 airports were handed over. Social housing units, as well as a drinking water and sewerage project to serve approximately 30,000 people across 28 Maldivian islands were established.
The Prime Minister then said, Maldives also has an important role to play – helping to ensure the security of the Indian Ocean region. It is an issue that was red-flagged by many within the government after Mr Muizu, seen as a ‘pro-China’ leader, won the election last year in what was termed an ‘India out’ platform.
That platform included requesting Delhi to withdraw 90 military personnel to the Maldives to maintain and operate three aviation platforms for humanitarian and medical assistance.
These three – two helicopters and one Dornier aircraft – were a gift from India.
Following talks, Delhi replaced the military personnel with “competent technical” personnel.
In addition to the eviction of military personnel – about which Mr Muizzoo has said he “did what the Maldivian people told me” – the docking of a Chinese spy ship masquerading as a research vessel in February was also accompanied by similar actions by similar vessels. Eyebrows were raised after it docked in the SRI. Hambantota Port of Lanka.
