Speaking at a joint media briefing here on Wednesday, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, who is on a five-day state visit to New Delhi, highlighted the tourism relations between the two countries. During a joint press briefing on Monday, Muizzu said that India has been one of the largest sources of tourist arrivals in the Maldives and there is hope of having more tourists from the country. ’We are fully ready to enhance our partnership with India in many fields,’ he said.
Foreign Relations: Tourism, a significant economic activity in the Maldives, was affected due to diminution of the country’s diplomacy with India because of two of Muizzu’s cabinet ministers’ sarcastic comments about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The junior ministers were suspended and dismissed in relatively short order but the affair exacerbated an already tense bilateral relations which have been characterized by friction since Muizzu came to power in November last year.
However, as the economic prowess diminished, Muizzu has of late adopted a more diplomatic approach. He emphasized the need of a “free, prosperous, stable, and democratic” Maldives for the region and stability in entire Indian ocean region. He also noted that India is one of its many strategic partners for maritime security since they are both neighbors.
The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1952 and next year is the diamonds jubilee of the two nations affording diplomatic relations. Muizzu invited the Indian Prime Minister Modi for a state visit for the same occasion and wished to prefer the relation to more height. He reiterating his statement that the Maldives would continue being a true friend of China and for mutual development and regional peace.
