New Delhi: As President Mohamed Muizzu arrived in the nation’s capital on Sunday for his first bilateral visit, he declared that the Maldives would not take any action that would jeopardize India’s security and that it regards New Delhi as a “valued partner and friend.” He also stated that cooperation in a number of areas, including defense, will “always be a priority.”
Mr. Muizzu, who was elected on a platform of “India Out,” which some saw as a “pro-China” leader, stated to a national English daily that the Maldives’ relationship with India is “built on respect and shared interests” and that Delhi has been and continues to be one of his country’s main trading and development partners.
The president of the Maldives, Droupadi Murmu, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave the Maldivian leader a formal welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan’s forecourt this afternoon.
After receiving a formal welcome, Mr. Muizzu went to Rajghat to honor Mahatma Gandhi. He then had a private meeting at Hyderabad House with the Prime Minister.
“The Maldives would never take any action to jeopardize India’s security.” In a lengthy interview with The Times of India yesterday, he said, “As we expand our cooperation with other nations in a number of areas, we’re still committed to making sure that our actions do not compromise the security and stability of our region.”
Mr. Muizzu emphasized his administration’s commitment to “fostering growth and development through diverse international collaborations” while omitting to mention China. “It is essential for the Maldives to diversify international relations and reduce over-dependence on any one country,” he said, highlighting his “Maldives First” policy. However, he stressed that such engagements will not compromise India’s interests.
“We are inherently respectful of our friends and neighbors,” he remarked, urging the Indian visitors to come back. Declaring that “Indians make a positive contribution… Indian tourists are welcome,” he defended the most significant industry in his nation, which suffered last year as a result of the diplomatic spat.
This is Mr. Muizzu’s first bilateral visit, and his remarks show that he is becoming more amiable following a months-long diplomatic standoff with the Maldives last year over remarks made by three ministers criticizing Prime Minister Modi in response to a social media post promoting Lakshadweep as a possible tourism destination instead of the Maldives.
The ministers were suspended and the Maldives Foreign Ministry distanced itself from the comments; two of the ministers, Mariyam Shiuna and Malsha Shareef, resigned last month following confirmation of the bilateral visit.
Furthermore, there were concerns expressed about the May request to evacuate 90 military personnel stationed at three aviation installations that India had gifted, made just a few weeks prior to Mr. Modi’s swearing-in ceremony.
Delhi granted the request, substituting “competent technical” workers for the military men.
‘India Out’ and the removal of Indian military forces were considered to be two of Mr. Muizzu’s main election pledges. When pressed on these subjects, the president of the Maldives claimed to have “done what the people of the Maldives asked of me,” but he also emphasized that India is still a crucial ally in the fight for regional stability.
“This historic tie is entwined like a tree’s roots, rooted in common values and centuries of interaction. India and the Maldives have traditionally had a close relationship.”
Mr. Muizzu has denied having a “India Out” objective but maintained that his nation had a “serious problem” with foreign military personnel stationed there. News agency PTI cited him as saying, “The people of the Maldives do not want a single foreign soldier in the country,” to the local website adhadhu.com.
Mr. Muizzu also discussed infrastructure initiatives that have received support from India, such as the Greater Male Connectivity Scheme and the provision of water and sewage services for 28 islands in the archipelago.
One of India’s most important maritime neighbors in the Indian Ocean region is the Maldives, and under President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s previous administration, bilateral relations generally saw an uptick, notably in the fields of security and defense.