On Monday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, marking a significant moment in the two nations’ diplomatic relations, which have faced challenges in recent months. The meeting comes as part of Muizzu’s five-day visit to India, during which the leaders are expected to discuss “bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interest,” according to India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
Relations between India and the Maldives have been under strain since Muizzu, perceived as pro-China, assumed power last year after defeating the India-friendly incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. During his election campaign, Muizzu promised to expel Indian soldiers stationed in the Maldives for humanitarian assistance, a commitment that heightened tensions. In response, India replaced many of these soldiers with civilian experts in May 2023.
A further strain occurred in January when Maldivian leaders criticized Prime Minister Modi’s promotion of India’s Lakshadweep islands as a tourist destination, seeing it as an attempt to divert Indian tourists away from the Maldives. Tourism is a critical component of the Maldivian economy, and the move led to public protests, as well as calls for a boycott of Maldivian tourism from some Indian celebrities.
Diplomatic relations took another hit when Muizzu visited China ahead of India earlier this year, signaling a shift in the Maldives’ foreign policy and intensifying concerns over Chinese influence in the region. Muizzu subsequently outlined plans to reduce his country’s dependence on India for medical services, health supplies, and staple imports, further fueling tensions between the two nations.
Despite the strained relations, a thaw began after Muizzu attended Modi’s swearing-in ceremony in June for his third term as prime minister. Since then, the Maldivian president has softened his anti-India rhetoric, leading to a renewal of official-level engagements.
India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, expressed optimism about the talks, stating that they would give “a new impetus” to the friendly ties between the two neighboring nations.
The Maldives, a strategically located archipelago in the Indian Ocean, is at the center of regional competition between India and China for influence. While India has long been a key provider of development assistance to the Maldives, including infrastructure, medical care, and health services, the Maldives is also a participant in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which seeks to expand trade and infrastructure across Asia and beyond.
Muizzu’s visit to India is viewed as a critical diplomatic moment for Modi, who is facing rising challenges in the region. Pro-China leaders have recently come to power in neighboring Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bangladesh, altering the dynamics of India’s regional diplomacy.
