Male | During his two-day state visit to the Maldives, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a series of high-level meetings on Saturday with key political leaders across party lines, reaffirming India’s steadfast commitment to its “Neighbourhood First” policy and deepening its strategic ties with the island nation.
In a packed diplomatic schedule, PM Modi met with representatives from various Maldivian political groups, emphasizing the bipartisan nature of the India-Maldives friendship. “The participation of leaders from diverse political ideologies underscores the strong, time-tested bond between our two countries,” the Prime Minister shared on X (formerly Twitter).
The Indian delegation included National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and other senior officials.
Strategic Meetings with Top Maldivian Leaders
PM Modi began the day by meeting former President Mohamed Nasheed, a long-standing advocate of stronger India-Maldives relations. Assuring continued support, Modi reiterated India’s role in development cooperation and capacity building in the Maldives.
“I met Mr. Mohamed Nasheed, who has always advocated deeper ties with India,” PM Modi posted. “The Maldives remains a cornerstone of our ‘Mahasagar Vision’ and ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy.”
In a significant engagement with Speaker of the People’s Majlis Abdul Raheem Abdulla, PM Modi lauded the formation of the India-Maldives Parliamentary Friendship Group within the 20th Majlis as a vital step forward in bilateral relations. “India remains committed to enhancing Maldives’ institutional capacities,” he said.
Modi also held discussions with Maldivian Vice President Mohamed Latheef, focusing on mutual cooperation in infrastructure, technology, energy, climate change, and more. “These pillars of cooperation are essential for our peoples and we aim to deepen them in the coming years,” the PM noted.
Boosting Bilateral Ties with Development Projects
During his visit, PM Modi and President Mohamed Muizzu unveiled several key initiatives to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations. The two leaders jointly launched:
- Six High Impact Community Development Projects
- Road and drainage systems in Addu City
- Commemorative stamps symbolizing six decades of friendship
In a strong gesture of support, India handed over 72 vehicles to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) and immigration authorities, along with 3,300 social housing units, reinforcing India’s role in shaping Maldives’ infrastructure and public welfare.
A Historic Visit Amid Renewed Diplomacy
This marks PM Modi’s third official visit to the Maldives—after earlier trips in 2018 and 2019—and the first by any Head of State or Government during President Mohamed Muizzu’s term, which began in November 2023.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) noted that multiple agreements were signed across a range of sectors, further solidifying the bilateral cooperation between India and the Maldives.
With strategic alignment, developmental support, and people-to-people connections at its core, PM Modi’s visit marks a renewed chapter in India-Maldives relations—grounded in mutual respect, regional stability, and shared prosperity.
