In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, India and the Maldives have marked a new chapter in their relationship. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer recently inaugurated a major project funded by India’s Line of Credit (LoC). This project involved setting up a water and sewerage network across 28 Maldivian islands, a move that underscores the strengthening of ties between the two nations. The event took place during Jaishankar’s visit to the Maldives, with Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu in attendance.
This development follows a period of strained relations earlier this year. Tensions flared after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep, which led to controversy when a Maldivian leader made derogatory comments about Modi. President Muizzu, who had initially adopted a pro-China stance and campaigned on an ‘India Out’ platform, had previously posed challenges to bilateral relations.
However, President Muizzu’s recent actions indicate a notable shift in his stance. On August 12, he reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening ties with India, acknowledging India’s role as one of the Maldives’ closest allies and expressing gratitude for its support.
To further bolster bilateral relations, India and the Maldives have signed several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), focusing on capacity building. Key agreements include training 1,000 Maldivian civil servants in India and introducing the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in the Maldives. Jaishankar also inaugurated six High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs), further enhancing India’s role in Maldivian development.
Political analysts suggest that the Maldives faced economic and diplomatic difficulties earlier this year due to strained relations with India. The recent shift in President Muizzu’s stance has been welcomed by opposition parties in the Maldives, who have long supported closer ties with India.
