Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has arrived in India on a five-day state visit, his first since coming to power last year, aiming to repair strained ties with New Delhi. Tensions had arisen when Muizzu had asked India to remove its soldiers from the island nation, calling their presence a threat to sovereignty. However, India withdrew its troops in March, and diplomatic channels have remained open, with concerns about China’s growing influence in the region.
Muizzu’s visit is seen as a step towards strengthening bilateral cooperation and enhancing the relationship between the two nations. Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar welcomed Muizzu and expressed confidence that the visit and talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi would give a new impetus to their friendly ties. India has invested heavily in infrastructure projects in the Maldives, close to $1.5bn, and is wary of China’s presence in the Indian Ocean, including in neighbouring Sri Lanka.
Muizzu has toned down his anti-Indian rhetoric since coming to power and has shown a commitment to enhancing ties with nations crucial to the development and growth of the Maldives. With foreign reserves at a record low and a downgrade in credit rating, the country is seeking to strengthen its alliances to recover from an economic crisis. The island nation, known for its tourism industry, is strategically located along key international shipping routes. During Muizzu’s visit to China earlier this year, several deals were signed in infrastructure, energy, marine, and agriculture sectors.
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