News Desk
NEW DELHI – Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar called on President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu today, marking the start of his state visit to India. The visit, which comes at the invitation of President Droupadi Murmu, is seen as a significant step in resetting ties between the two neighbors. Jaishankar, in a tweet following their meeting, expressed confidence in the future of India-Maldives relations, noting President Muizzu’s commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation.
“Pleased to call on President Muizzu today at the start of his State Visit to India,” Jaishankar tweeted. “Appreciate his commitment to enhance India-Maldives relationship. Confident that his talks with PM Modi tomorrow will give a new impetus to our friendly ties.”
Muizzu, accompanied by First Lady Sajidha Mohamed and a high-level delegation including nearly a dozen ministers and senior officials, was received at the airport by Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh. The formal welcoming ceremony is scheduled for tomorrow, followed by bilateral talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The state visit comes at a crucial time for the Maldives, as Muizzu seeks to rebuild ties with India. Indian investments in the Maldives, totaling nearly $1.5 billion, have played a key role in the country’s infrastructure development. Since his election, Muizzu has softened his previous stance, emphasizing that he intends to bolster regional cooperation.
The media has widely covered the significance of this visit. The Hindustan Times highlighted Muizzu’s expected discussions on a potential financial bailout to help the Maldives tackle its balance of payments crisis. Observers expect the leaders to finalize several agreements aimed at enhancing cooperation across multiple sectors, with the possibility of opening an Indian consulate in Addu City also on the table, according to ETV Bharat.
In addition to official meetings, President Muizzu is scheduled to visit Mumbai and Bengaluru for business engagements, aiming to boost commercial ties. On October 8, he will also tour the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra, reports The Hindu.
Muizzu’s visit is being closely watched as a potential turning point in India-Maldives relations, which have seen highs and lows in recent years. His talks with Prime Minister Modi are anticipated to pave the way for deeper cooperation in areas such as trade, security, and infrastructure development.
