Jaishankar meets Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu
New Delhi, Aug 10: India and the Maldives are poised to embark on a new chapter in their bilateral relations, as evidenced by the ongoing visit of External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar to the Maldives.
During his visit, Dr Jaishankar met with President Mohamed Muizzu, underscoring the mutual commitment to strengthening ties between the two nations.
Dr Jaishankar conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and reiterated India’s resolve to deepen the relationship for the benefit of both countries and the broader region. In a message shared on X (formerly Twitter), Dr Jaishankar stated, “Privileged to call on President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. Conveyed greetings of PM @NarendraModi. Committed to deepen India-Maldives ties for the benefit of our people and the region.”
President Muizzu, speaking at a ceremony during Jaishankar’s visit, highlighted the significance of the visit in enhancing the already strong historical ties between the Maldives and India as reported by the local leading newspaper The Sun.
He noted that the infrastructure projects inaugurated on Saturday represent pivotal milestones in both the development of the Maldives and the bilateral relationship between the two nations. “These projects are designed to improve the quality of life in our communities. They will bring substantial economic benefits, uplift our local economies, and collectively contribute to the prosperity of our nation,” President Muizzu said.
Expressing his gratitude, President Muizzu thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Indian government, and the people of India for their unwavering support. He emphasized the crucial role of India’s assistance in the Maldives’ development efforts.
“The aid and financial assistance provided by our bilateral partners, particularly India, has been instrumental. India has always been one of our closest allies and invaluable partners, facilitating and providing aid whenever we need it,” he remarked.
President Muizzu reaffirmed his administration’s “full commitment to strengthening the historic relations between our two countries to reach new heights in the coming years,” signaling a deepened partnership as both nations move forward together.
Inauguration of Water & Sanitation Project
Minister Jaishankar and President Muizzu jointly inaugurated the Water and Sanitation Projects on 28 Maldivian islands, commissioned under an Indian Line of Credit.
Dr S. Jaishankar at the Inauguration of the Water & Sanitation Project in Maldives in the presence of the President of Maldives said, “It is really a great pleasure today to be at the President’s Office in Maldives for the virtual inauguration and handing over of the Water and Sanitation Projects in 28 islands, commissioned under the Indian Line of Credit in the august presence of the President.”
This project, which brings clean drinking water and modern sewerage systems to numerous islands, symbolizes the robust partnership between the two nations. Jaishankar highlighted that this collaboration reflects the core of their relationship, which is built on mutual benefit and addresses critical areas such as health, education, infrastructure, defence, maritime security, and climate resilience.
The project represents the largest climate adaptation initiative in the Maldives involving international cooperation. The project not only delivers tangible benefits to the Maldivian people but also supports the country’s efforts to meet its Sustainable Development Goals by establishing resilient and cost-effective water and sewerage systems.
Minister Jaishankar in his address at the function said, “This project has brought safe drinking water to so many islands, to 32 islands and introduced sewerage systems in 17 islands. I am happy to note that this has directly impacted the lives of 28,000 Maldivians I believe. And under this project, latest technologies have been used to provide clean drinking water and safe sewerage disposal. In addition, the buildings are also equipped with solar energy providing support to the island grids. With a total funding of USD 110 million, this is the largest climate adaptation implemented in Maldives with international collaboration.”
Meeting with Defence Minister
Jaishankar’s visit also involved high-level discussions with Maldivian Defence Minister Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon and Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer. These meetings covered a wide range of topics, including defence and security cooperation, maritime security, and development partnerships. The ministers inaugurated six High Impact Projects focused on street lighting, mental health, children’s speech therapy, and special education. Additionally, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the National Payments Corporation of India and the Maldives’ Ministry of Economic Development and Trade to introduce a digital payment system, further enhancing economic ties.
Jaishankar underscored that India’s partnership with the Maldives remains a priority for New Delhi, with his visit laying the groundwork for future collaborations. His remarks followed a period of tension between the two countries, particularly after President Muizzu called for the withdrawal of Indian troops from the Maldives, a promise he made during his presidential campaign. The situation escalated further when three Maldivian deputy ministers made derogatory comments about India and Prime Minister Modi on social media, leading to their suspension and a distancing statement from the Maldivian Foreign Ministry.
Despite these challenges, recent diplomatic engagements suggest a positive trajectory in India-Maldives relations. This includes visits by key Maldivian officials and ministers to India and President Muizzu’s participation in Prime Minister Modi’s third-term inauguration.
President Muizzu’s Official Visit to India
President Muizzu is expected to make his much-anticipated official visit to India in September, though the exact dates are yet to be confirmed. Officials from both Malé and New Delhi have consistently emphasized the importance of maintaining strong relations between the two nations. As both nations work to rebuild trust, the anticipated visit of President Muizzu to India next month is expected to be a significant step in resetting and strengthening the bilateral relationship.
