Maldives President Signals Thaw in India Relations, Plans Visit

In a significant development for India-Maldives relations, President Mohamed Muizzu has announced his intention to visit India "as soon as possible." Speaking on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly, Muizzu emphasized the "very strong" bilateral ties between the two nations, signaling a potential shift in diplomatic dynamics.

This proposed visit would mark Muizzu's second trip to India, following his attendance at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony in June. The announcement comes as a surprise to many, given Muizzu's departure from the traditional practice of Maldivian presidents making India their first foreign destination after taking office.

Since assuming power, Muizzu's administration has taken several steps that raised eyebrows in New Delhi. His election campaign prominently featured an "India Out" stance, with a key promise being the removal of Indian troops from the Maldives. True to his word, the withdrawal of Indian military personnel was completed in May this year, following official requests from Male.

The relationship between the two countries has been turbulent in recent months. A diplomatic row erupted when three Maldivian deputy ministers made derogatory comments about Prime Minister Modi on social media, leading to their suspension. This incident coincided with a significant drop in Indian tourist arrivals to the Maldives, with official data showing a 33% decrease compared to the previous year.

Despite these challenges, there have been signs of reconciliation. In August, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited the Maldives, inaugurating development projects and exchanging memorandums of understanding with his Maldivian counterpart, Moosa Zameer.

President Muizzu has also expressed gratitude for India's support in easing the Maldives' debt repayment obligations. He has voiced hope for stronger ties between the two nations and the possibility of signing a free trade agreement.

The proposed visit by President Muizzu to India could potentially mark a new chapter in bilateral relations. It remains to be seen how this diplomatic engagement will address the recent tensions and shape the future of India-Maldives cooperation in the strategically important Indian Ocean region.