Courtesy: X / PMOIndia
The India-Maldives bilateral, so fraught till recently, has seen a positive reset. This was evident in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s July 25-26 visit to Male. Using patience, quiet diplomacy and a consultative process with the Maldivians, India is now on the path to achieving its bilateral and regional goals in tandem with its strategically critical neighbour in the Indian Ocean.
Courtesy: Gateway House
All eyes are on the July 25-26 visit of Prime Minister Modi to Maldives as chief guest for the Maldivian Independence Day celebrations. It’s a remarkable turnaround by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, who won the 2023 election on an “India Out” campaign. What caused the change? Proximity and geopolitics, says Rajiv Bhatia transformed Maldivian view.
Courtesy:
Maldivian President Muizzu's state visit to India last week was marked by discussions on a Free Trade Agreement, a vision document on maritime security cooperation, and five MOUs. India committed to supporting the Maldives’ development goals, while the Maldives pledged to respect India's security concerns in the Indian Ocean. Hopefully, this mutuality of interests will be the principal driver in the bilateral as it implements joint visions of economic and strategic cooperation.
Courtesy: Al Majalla
Maldives’ President Mohammed Muizzu’s desire to have an independent foreign policy has steered it away from India and closer to China. It has added a new dimension to the strategic contestation in the Indian Ocean. Rajiv Bhatia, Distinguished Fellow, Foreign Policy Studies, shares his insights on the Maldives’ strategic importance in the region, the ‘India Out’ campaign, and the way forward for Indian diplomacy in South Asia.