Male
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who visited Maldives, has been given a grand welcome at Male Airport. Maldives President Mohammad Mujju himself arrived at the airport and has warmly welcomed Prime Minister Modi. After which there is now a possibility that the relations between the two countries, which started deteriorating after Mujju became President, have improved again. Mujju has warmly welcomed Prime Minister Modi at the airport. The President Mujju as well as several top ministers of the Maldives government, including Foreign Minister, Defense Minister, Finance Minister and Home Safety Minister Shamih, were also present at the airport to receive Prime Minister Modi. It is a clear indication that political will is present in both countries to give new energy to bilateral relationships.
Let us tell you that this visit of Prime Minister Modi is happening at a time when the relations between India and Maldives have started improving in the last few months. Mohammad Mujju launched the ‘India Out’ campaign during the 2023 presidential election. After becoming President, Mohammad Mujju made the first bilateral foreign tour of China. Apart from this, he also gave some statements against India indirectly. At the same time, in January 2024, some ministers of Maldives made derogatory comments about Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep, after which the relations between the two countries started deteriorating. A campaign to ‘boycott Maldives’ was also launched in India.
Maldives and India are improving relations
Experts say that the President of Maldives had earlier tried to increase relations with countries like China and Türkiye. Their purpose was to ignore India. But soon he realized that the situation could be very difficult without India. Because Maldives is in the middle of the Indian Ocean and is a country scattered in many islands. Here, without the help of India, Maldives will have to face a lot of difficulties. In any emergency, Indian help can only reach. Sri Lanka also advised the President of Maldives to improve relations with India. After which Mohammad Mujju came to Delhi at the swearing -in ceremony of Prime Minister Modi for the third time. The following month again, Mohammad Mujju had a bilateral tour of Delhi. Then slowly the relationship started improving.
Prime Minister Modi has been invited by Maldives as a state guest on Independence Day this time. During this time, there may be agreements or announcements in areas such as increasing security cooperation, maritime monitoring and anti -terrorism strategy, financial assistance and infrastructure projects, health and tourism. Experts say that due to regional pressure and domestic economic challenges, Maldives need neighbor and cooperation like India. According to the report, Prime Minister Modi may announce financial assistance for Maldives during this visit, which is likely to be through the credine line.
Mohammad Mujju was considered to be the advocate of China, he raised the issue of presence of Indian companies in the Maldives elections. After becoming President, the Mohammad Mujuju went to Türkiye in December 2023 on his first visit, changing the tradition, then in January 2024 he visited China. Whereas in the Maldives, the ritual was that the new head of state used to visit India first.
Mohammad Mujju used to tell that he is taking Maldives away from India. After this, the statements of the ministers of Maldives brought PM Modi, who were contrary to dignity.
But between 2023 and 2025, President Mojuzzu and Maldives’ think tank understood the meaning of ignoring India. On Friday, when PM Modi reached Male of Maldives, the entire government of Maldives was ready to welcome him.
President Mujju himself, Maldives Foreign Minister, Defense Minister, Finance Minister, Home Minister were present at the airport. Even in less than two years, Moiju’s policy of Byjut India turned into ‘Welcome Modi’.
After all, what was the reason that President Moazzzu had to fight for improving its mistakes about India in 18-20 months.
Economic crisis: Corona is over but due to effect, the economy of Maldives is not coming out. Maldives’ economy is in crisis, the foreign exchange reserves were only $ 440 million in September 2024 which was sufficient for one and a half months of imports. India helped Maldives on such a difficult occasion. India provided the $ 750 million currency swap facility and provided significant assistance with 100 million dolk Treasury Bill Rollover.
Apart from this, India is running a project of billions of rupees in Maldives. These projects will play an important role in the development of the foundation structure in Maldives. According to the think tank ORF Online, the Halimadhu Airport Project being built in Maldives with the cooperation of India, as well as 4,000 houses is expected to be completely operational from August 2025.
India is working on the Greater Male Connectivity Project (GMCP) here. Through this a bridge is being built which will be completed by September 2026.
India in the base of Maldives August 2024 A link bridge project is inaugurated in. India is also developing an airport here at a cost of US $ 29 million. All these projects of Maldives were trapped due to sourness in relations with India.
In 2025, India and Maldives signed 13 MoUs for the expansion of boating services in Maldives, including a grant assistance of Rs 56 crore.
India is one of the largest trading partners in Maldives, with more than US $ 548 million. In such a situation, the slogan of India Baycott of Maldives proved to be just an electoral propaganda.
Tourism dependence: Tourism contributes 28% to Maldives’ economy, with Indian tourist largest groups. The number of tourists declined by 50,000 after the “Bycott Maldives” campaign in 2024, causing a loss of $ 150 million. There was a situation that President Mujju appealed to the Indian tourists to roam the Maldives.
When the relationship between Maldives and India was strong, PM Modi released a picture of his Lakshadweep. It was like a message for the Maldives that if the relationship does not improve, then Indian tourists have a beautiful place like Lakshadweep as an alternative to the Maldives.
Diplomatic pressure: Mujju’s pro-China policy and demand for removal of Indian soldiers increased tension, but India’s “Neberhood First” policy and External Affairs Minister Jaishankar’s visit to August 2024 gave a new dimension to the relationship.
External Affairs Minister S.K. Jaishankar visited Maldives in August 2024. During this, controversial issues like military attendance were discussed. Earlier in November 2023, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju reached Male to attend the swearing in. In December 2023, PM Modi and Moju also met in UAE.
In June 2024, when PM Modi was taking oath as Prime Minister for the third time, Mohammad Mujju visited India. These frequent contacts removed the misconceptions of both countries and both countries came close to each other.
In addition, India provided ships and helicopters to strengthen the Maldives’ maritime security that outlines India’s role in regional security.
India got cultural and community projects such as schools and hospitals constructed. These efforts of India presented the positive image of India among the people of Maldives. This results finally as a result of good relations between the two countries.
China’s debt net policy: China has a $ 1.37 billion debt on the Maldives, which is risky compared to India. After becoming a President, Muizu felt that India’s financial assistance is more reliable. His idea also brought him towards India.
China’s loan of $ 1.37 billion on Maldives is a major part of its GDP. This debt was taken by Maldives for infrastructure projects, such as Hulhumale Bridge and Airport Extension, under Belt and Road Initiative. The cost of these projects was often exaggerated and it became difficult for a small country like Maldives to repay the debt.
China’s high interest rates and rigorous terms trap the Maldives, while India’s aid was more flexible and reliable. That is why Mujju turned to India.
Regional Security: India has been a “first response” for the Maldives, such as the 1988 coup and the 2004 tsunami, India helped Maldives on a humanitarian grounds. India’s role is unavoidable for maritime security of Maldives. Maldives holds a special place in India’s Vision Mahasagar (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth across regions). Maldives also came to know
Cultural, linguistic and historical bonds between India and Maldives are strong. After coming to power, Mujju had to accept it. This was the reason that Mujju invited PM Modi as a ‘Guest of Honor’ on the occasion of the 60th independence anniversary of Maldives while doing course.
