India, Maldives ties rework on fast lane with Muizzu's India visit

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India & Maldives ties on mend with Muizzu visit

By Raisina Correspondent

New Delhi, September 10: Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu will visit India “very soon”. Maldivian President’s Office said on Tuesday that Muizzu will visit India at the earliest.

“President will visit India very soon. The dates will be finalized with consultations,” said Heena Waleed, the spokesperson of the President’s Office. She was speaking to reporters on Tuesday.

Muizzu had visited China in January this year. During his five-day long visit, Muizzu had signed strategic partnership pact with China.

Also Read: Muizzu attends Modi, Maldives orders reviews of India pacts

The announcement from Muizzu’s office of his impending India visit comes close on the heels of three days long visit to Male by External Affairs Minister Subramanhyam Jaishankar. The foreign affairs minister had held discussions with cross-section of the Maldivian political ecosystem during his visit.

The Opposition party in Maldives had also welcomed the “recalibration” in ties with India by the Muizzu-led dispensation. Muizzu had stormed to power in Maldives by riding an ‘India Out’ campaign.

“Maldivian leaders have traditionally chosen neighboring India, the country’s closest bilateral partner, for their first official visit. However, unlike his predecessors, President Muizzu, who assumed office in November last year, made his first official visit to Türkiye,” said Sun Online in a report from Male on Tuesday.

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India and Maldives ties had nosedived after three ministers in Muizzu Cabinet made disparaging remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The prime minister’s visit to Lakshadweep for two days in January this year had set the social media platforms buzzing.

Indian tourists are known to be the mainstay of the Maldivian economy. Indian tourists have been stepping up travels to Sri Lanka.

It may be recalled that China had sent shipments of slices of glaciers for the drinking needs of Maldives. The Chinese research vessels widely known as spy ships had also been regularly visiting Male.

But Maldives appears to have embarked on ‘recalibration’ in ties with India in June. The Sun Online quoted Maldivian foreign affairs minister Moosa Zameer saying in June that President Muizzu is keen for deepening ties with India.

Also Read: Maldives: Muizzu faces Opposition heat ahead of Chinese ‘dual-use’ ship arrival

President Muizzu had attended the swearing in of Modi as the prime minister for the third term. Heads of the states of the neighbouring countries had also attended the oath ceremony.

Muizzu will be coming for the first bilateral meeting. His visit will be significant and seen as India’s diplomatic strength in steadying ties with Maldives.

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