Can Foreign Minister Thaw Frosty Relations with India?

In the bustling skies between Indian metropolises and the tropical shores of Male’, seven airline trips are slated to ferry passengers today. Among them, a Vistara flight bound for New Delhi carries a distinguished passenger of diplomatic significance.

Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer, orchestrating a nuanced diplomatic dance, embarks on his inaugural official visit to India, departing from Male’ for New Delhi today. The confirmation from the Foreign Ministry outlines a carefully curated two-day agenda, positioning Minister Zameer for a pivotal rendezvous with his Indian counterpart, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

While the official schedule remains shrouded in secrecy, whispers in the diplomatic corridors suggest weighty discussions spanning debt restructuring, a concerted effort to thaw the frosty relations, and the potential for boosting Indian tourism to the Maldives.

The aim? To bolster and diversify the bilateral ties between the two nations, which have recently weathered a tempest of strained exchanges, exacerbated by pointed remarks from junior ministers here in the Maldives.

This diplomatic milestone marks Minister Zameer’s inaugural visit to India since ascending to office, carrying the heavy mantle of diplomatic overtures against a backdrop of chilly relations. The frostiness between the neighbors have deepened, notably diverging from the customary tradition where Maldives’ Presidents typically undertake their first official visit to India post-inauguration. Instead, President Muizzu opted for a diplomatic overture to China, setting a tone of unease in the geopolitical landscape.