Mohamed Muizzu News

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, who campaigned on an “India Out” slogan, took early steps in office to distance the country from India, including expelling Indian military personnel and strengthening ties with China, moves seen by New Delhi as a shift toward Beijing.

Highlighting the growing people-to-people ties, Modi shared that the 1 millionth tourist to the Maldives this year was an Indian, underscoring the rising engagement between the citizens of both nations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu jointly inaugurated the state-of-the-art Ministry of Defence (MoD) building of Maldives in Male.

The Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement that the two leaders reviewed the entire spectrum of India-Maldives relations & reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the ties.

The Maldivian capital, Male, wore a festive look on Friday, adorned with large posters, colourful banners, and fluttering Indian flags, as the island nation geared up to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his two-day state visit. However, the same could not have been imagined just 18 months ago.

PM Modi landed in Male on July 25, for a state visit to the Maldives, receiving a warm welcome from President Muizzu.

Reports suggest that the Maldives government is in discussions with China to deploy fish aggregating devices (FADs) in the Indian Ocean, raising concerns about the potential strategic implications. 

The move is expected to bring significant benefits to the Maldivian economy, including increased financial inclusion, improved efficiency in financial transactions, and enhanced digital infrastructure, the President's Office said in a statement on Sunday.

Maldivian President Muizzu underscored India’s crucial role in his country’s socio-economic landscape: “India has stood by Maldives during our times of need."

Maldivian President Muizzu arrived in India on a bilateral visit on Sunday.

Maldives President Muizzu seeks Indian financial assistance to bolster the country's foreign currency reserves as the island country stares at debt default.

Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu came to power riding on the 'India Out' campaign and has been known for his pro-China inclination. But, the island nation appears to have realized that it needs to take a balanced approach in dealing with New Delhi and Beijing.

India's relation with Maldives have deteriorated since the island country elected a pro-China President Mohamed Muizzu. Muizzu came to power on an anti-India plank.

The row between India and the Maldives broke out over derogatory posts made by three officials about PM Narendra Modi. 

A leaked report claimed involvement of Muizzu in corruption in 2018, a charge dismissed by him. 

Mariyam Shiuna, the former Maldivian minister, in a recent post which has been deleted after backlash, mocked the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and India by posting an altered picture of Ashok Chakra.

Former Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has advised President Mohamed Muizzu to stop being "stubborn" and seek dialogue with neighbouring nations to overcome financial challenges, Maldives-based Adhadhu reported.

The removal of Indian troops from Maldives was the main election campaign of Muizzu's party and he put up a formal request with New Delhi regarding the same, just on the second day after assuming office.

The move comes after Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu declared in his first speech to Parliament on February 5 that the Indian military personnel will leave the island nation before March 10.