First bilateral visit of Maldives President since Mohamed Muizzu took over the presidency last year has begun in Delhi. Muizzu will also have an audience with the Indian President Draupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, other leadership during the five days stay in India. This visit is deemed necessary to considerably improves relations between the two countries lest deteriorated following the assume of power by Muizzu in November.
#WATCH | Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady of Maldives, Sajidha Mohamed arrive at Delhi airport.
— ANI (@ANI) October 6, 2024
During this visit, President Muizzu will hold meetings with President Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior officials. pic.twitter.com/ei5CtjrD5s
Although Muizzu was a designated PM observer during Modi’s inauguration in June, this is his first official state visit to India. Bilateral relations between India and the Maldives have strained after assuming the presidency Muizzu who had shown pro-China policy stance reiterated his demand to India to remove its military personnel from the Maldives on his inaugural day. Military personnel were later on replaced by civilians from India. Further, in his first international trip, Male’ has opted for China, not New Delhi, that is the first deviation by a Maldivian president from this tradition.
Nevertheless, India’s Ministry of External Affairs showed optimism over the visit citing that the Africa visit will enhance cooperation and people to people relations. Apart from meetings in Delhi, Muizzu will attend business events in Mumbai and Bengaluru. It has a vital position in the Indian “Neighbourhood First Policy” and “SAGAR” political, security, and development construct of the Indian Ocean Region with the Maldives.
