Latest news with #MaldivesIndependenceDay
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First Post
4 days ago
- Business
- First Post
Is Maldives back into India fold? PM Modi may visit Male as I-Day guest on Muizzu's invitation
While details of the visit are still being finalised, one potential date under discussion is July 26, which marks Maldives Independence Day, according to a report read more India is considering an invitation from the Maldives for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the strategically important Indian Ocean nation in July, according to a report, citing sources familiar with the matter. The move comes after Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel reaffirmed President Mohamed Muizzu's 2024 invitation during his visit to India last week. According to a Times of India report, while details of the visit are still being finalised, one potential date under discussion is July 26, which marks Maldives Independence Day. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD If the visit goes ahead, it would be PM Modi's first trip to the Maldives since President Muizzu took office in November 2023, added the report. According to a Wion report, the visit, if it materialises, is likely to focus on the inauguration of India-supported projects in the country with a focus on wider stability of the Indian Ocean region – where both countries have been working with each other under initiatives like the Colombo Security Conclave. Khaleel visited India last week for the third time this year, signaling the Maldives' intent to strengthen ties with New Delhi amid growing concerns in both India and the West over its relationship with China. During the visit, Khaleel and his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar reviewed bilateral cooperation across several key areas, including development partnership, defence and security, and trade and investment. Following the meeting, Jaishankar reaffirmed India's commitment to the Maldives' progress and development, and expressed gratitude for Maldivian support on counter-terrorism efforts. President Muizzu has consistently said that the Maldives will not take any steps that compromise India's security interests. He has defended his decision to withdraw Indian military personnel from the country as a reflection of the Maldivian people's aspiration for sovereignty and non-interference in domestic affairs. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In an interview to Ceylon Today last week, the president said the Maldives will not allow its geographical location to be misused by any country for deliberate attempts that undermine the peace and stability in the Indian Ocean region. 'Our approach will always be for regional peace and sovereignty, and fair diplomacy with everyone," he was quoted as saying. India has been a key economic and infrastructure partner for the Maldives, notably supporting the Greater Male Connectivity Project — the country's largest infrastructure initiative. The project, linking Male to Villingili, Gulhifalhu, and Thilafushi via bridges, causeways, and roads, is vital for the proposed Gulhifalhu Port and is expected to drive future economic growth and job creation. It is backed by a $400 million Line of Credit and a $100 million grant from India. PM Modi last visited the Maldives in 2019, shortly after beginning his second term. During that visit, he addressed the newly elected People's Majlis and oversaw the signing of MoUs in hydrography, health, and sea-based passenger-cargo services. He also pledged support for the restoration of the historic Hukuru Miskiiy (Friday Mosque) in Malé. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India has consistently acted as the Maldives' first responder—from the 2004 tsunami to the COVID-19 pandemic—and remains the largest provider of defence training for the Maldivian National Defence Force, having trained over 1,500 MNDF personnel in the past decade. With inputs from agencies
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Ties warmer, PM Modi may make 1st Maldives trip of Muizzu era
Ties warmer, PM Modi may make 1st Maldives trip of Muizzu era NEW DELHI: India is favourably considering an invitation by the Maldives for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the strategically important Indian Ocean country in July, TOI has learnt. This follows a strong reiteration of President Mohamed Muizzu's 2024 invitation to Modi by Maldives foreign minister Abdulla Khaleel during his visit to India last week. While it's too early to talk about the programme or agenda, it is learnt that one of the dates being considered for Modi's visit to the archipelago is July 26, the Maldives Independence Day. If it happens, it will be the first visit by Modi to the country since Muizzu assumed office in November 2023. Khaleel was in India last week for the third time this year, signalling an intent on the part of the Maldives to deepen ties with India amid concerns both here and in the West about its ties with China. Along with his counterpart S Jaishankar, Khaleel reviewed bilateral cooperation in a range of areas, including the development partnership, defence and security, and trade and investment. Jaishankar said after the meeting that India remained committed to Maldives's progress and development. He also thanked Khaleel for the solidarity with India on the issue of terrorism. Muizzu has continued to strongly maintain that the Maldives will not do anything to hurt India's security interests and that his decision to force Indian military personnel out of the country was based purely on the Maldivian people's desire for independence and non-interference in internal affairs. In an interview to Ceylon Today last week, the president said the Maldives will not allow its geographical location to be misused by any country for deliberate attempts that undermine peace and stability in the Indian Ocean region. "Our approach will always be for regional peace and sovereignty, and fair diplomacy with everyone," he said. India sees Maldives as a key maritime neighbour and an important partner in its Neighbourhood First policy and Vision Mahasagar (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions). According to the Indian external affairs ministry, the visit was aimed at strengthening the Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership between the two countries. As Prime Minister Modi and Muizzu had said in a joint statement after the latter's visit to India in October 2024, this partnership will be people-centric, future-oriented and will act as an anchor of stability in the Indian Ocean region. Among the big takeaways from that visit was a significant decision to initiate discussions on a Bilateral Free Trade Agreement focusing on trade in goods and services between the two countries.
