Latest news with #MaldivesIndependenceDay
Hans India
3 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Maldives President Muizzu hails ties with India, calls PM Modi 'wonderful person'
Male: Hailing ties with India, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu on Saturday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's landmark two-day visit to the country, asserting that it has given a major boost to the bilateral ties between the two neighbours. Speaking with the Indian media after the Maldives Independence Day celebrations where PM Modi was the 'Guest of Honour', the Maldivian President said, "India is one of the major countries that helps the Maldives with tourism. Definitely with the Prime Minister's visit, it is going to increase a lot. I am sure people-to-people exchanges between the two countries will also increase because of this visit." Muizzu also called PM Modi a "wonderful" person, expressing appreciation for the efforts that the Indian leader has made over the last 11 years to put India-Maldives relations on a new trajectory. "He's a wonderful person who is very fond of building the relationship between neighbours. The Maldives and India have a very good relationship that goes back centuries. With his leadership and the cooperation between our two countries, between the two governments, I'm sure it's going to be even more prosperous in the days ahead," he mentioned. He also talked about the agreements signed between both countries during PM Modi's two-day visit, affirming that they will help Maldives to move forward. Later, taking to X, Muizzu wrote, "I extend heartfelt thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his State Visit to the Maldives. We held fruitful discussions, witnessed the exchange of four MoUs and three agreements in vital areas, and announced the launch of FTA negotiations." "Together, we celebrated the Maldives' 60th Independence Day, released a commemorative stamp marking 60 years of formal ties, and inaugurated key development projects under Indian assistance," he added. Thoriq Ibrahim, Minister of Tourism and Environment of Maldives, also told IANS that the Indian Ocean archepalego's connectivity to the world will expand tremendously after the opening of the new terminal at the Velana airport in Hulhule Island. "Last year, we received two million tourists, and our target for this year is 2.3 million. We hope to welcome 200,000 tourists from India alone. With the completion and opening of the new terminal at Velana International Airport, we expect greater connectivity across the world, including India," he said. Earlier in the day, PM Modi attended the Independence Day celebrations of Maldives as the 'Guest of Honour' at Republic Square in Male along with the President of Maldives and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed. PM Modi also held several significant meetings with members of several political parties of the Maldives. He noted that the participation of leaders across the political spectrum emphasises the bipartisan support for the "strong and time-tested friendship" between the two nations. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and other officials were also present during these meetings.
NDTV
3 days ago
- Business
- NDTV
Maldives President Praises Ties with India, Calls PM Modi "Wonderful Person"
Male: Hailing ties with India, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu on Saturday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's landmark two-day visit to the country, asserting that it has given a major boost to the bilateral ties between the two neighbours. Speaking with the Indian media after the Maldives Independence Day celebrations where PM Modi was the 'Guest of Honour', the Maldivian President said, "India is one of the major countries that helps the Maldives with tourism. Definitely with the Prime Minister's visit, it is going to increase a lot. I am sure people-to-people exchanges between the two countries will also increase because of this visit." Muizzu also called PM Modi a "wonderful" person, expressing appreciation for the efforts that the Indian leader has made over the last 11 years to put India-Maldives relations on a new trajectory. "He's a wonderful person who is very fond of building the relationship between neighbours. The Maldives and India have a very good relationship that goes back centuries. With his leadership and the cooperation between our two countries, between the two governments, I'm sure it's going to be even more prosperous in the days ahead," he mentioned. He also talked about the agreements signed between both countries during PM Modi's two-day visit, affirming that they will help Maldives to move forward. Later, taking to X, Muizzu wrote, "I extend heartfelt thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his State Visit to the Maldives. We held fruitful discussions, witnessed the exchange of four MoUs and three agreements in vital areas, and announced the launch of FTA negotiations." "Together, we celebrated the Maldives' 60th Independence Day, released a commemorative stamp marking 60 years of formal ties, and inaugurated key development projects under Indian assistance," he added. Thoriq Ibrahim, Minister of Tourism and Environment of Maldives, also told IANS that the Indian Ocean archepalego's connectivity to the world will expand tremendously after the opening of the new terminal at the Velana airport in Hulhule Island. "Last year, we received two million tourists, and our target for this year is 2.3 million. We hope to welcome 200,000 tourists from India alone. With the completion and opening of the new terminal at Velana International Airport, we expect greater connectivity across the world, including India," he said. Earlier in the day, PM Modi attended the Independence Day celebrations of Maldives as the 'Guest of Honour' at Republic Square in Male along with the President of Maldives and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed. PM Modi also held several significant meetings with members of several political parties of the Maldives. He noted that the participation of leaders across the political spectrum emphasises the bipartisan support for the "strong and time-tested friendship" between the two nations. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and other officials were also present during these meetings.
Hans India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
PM Modi's much-awaited Maldives visit to strengthen development partnership, solidify ties: Indian envoy
Male: Highlighting India's role in the development of the island nation, India's High Commissioner to Maldives, G Balasubramanian said on Thursday that several key agreements are expected to be signed between the two nations during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day State Visit to Maldives, beginning Friday. "This is an important visit for strengthening the bilateral relations between our two countries. This visit would be the third time that the Prime Minister would be visiting Maldives -- the first being in 2018 and then in 2019. This is also the first visit of a State head under the presidency of Mohammad Muizzu. This is also the first time the Maldives has invited someone to be the guest of honour for the Independence Day celebrations since 2017," Balasubramaniam told IANS in an exclusive interview. PM Modi will undertake a State Visit to Maldives from July 25–26, at the invitation of the Maldives President, Mohamed Muizzu. This will be Prime Minister Modi's third visit to Maldives - he had visited the Indian Ocean archipelago in 2018 and 2019, earlier. Besides holding discussions with Muizzu, PM Modi will also be the 'Guest of Honour' at the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the Independence of Maldives on July 26. President Muizzu was on a State Visit to India in October 2024. He also visited New Delhi to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new government that had been elected earlier in the year. Both leaders had also met on the sidelines of the COP meeting in Dubai. Noting that 60th anniversary of Maldives Independence Day coincides with the 60th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties, Balasubramaniam said, "The 60th anniversary of the Independence Day of the Maldives also coincides with the sixtieth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries. India was one of the first countries to recognise the independence of the Maldives in 1965. Since then, we have been having very friendly, very close diplomatic relations. To commemorate this particular milestone of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, our Prime Minister and Maldives President will also be releasing a commemorative stamp to celebrate this event. So this is another important milestone in our relationship." PM Modi will arrive in Maldives on July 25 which would be the second and final leg of his two-nation visit, following the visit to the United Kingdom. High Commissioner Balasubramanian said that, during his visit, PM Modi would be handing over about 4,000 housing complexes that we had constructed under the buyer's credit. Elaborating on PM Modi's engagements in Maldives, he said, "After attending the Independence Day event on July 26, he would be having bilateral meetings with President Muizzu. Other important events that he would be attending would be inaugurating some of the projects that we had undertaken, handing over of them, signing MOUs, and exchanging MOUs. It would be a full schedule for our Prime Minister during this visit. Both leaders would be reviewing the progress that had been made on the vision document that was declared last year during the State Visit of President Muizzu to India in October 2024, which was a comprehensive partnership on economic and maritime security. We are also signing some of the MOUs, which are the main part of the official visit." Balasubramaniam stated that PM Modi will also have some private engagements along with official meetings. He said that PM Modi will interact with Indian diaspora, meet Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) candidates who have been trained in India and some people from the 'Bharat ko Janiye' quiz. When asked about India's role in the development of Maldives, he responded, "India has been one of the largest development partners for the Maldives. Since 2014, our assistance has been in terms of infrastructure development, capacity building or even emergency financial assistance in terms of currency swap and other things. The total financial assistance from 2014 is more than $3 billion. Many of the projects that we have undertaken in the Maldives are high-impact community development projects, which are done through grants from the Indian government. There are various lines of credit projects. There are various buyers' credit projects. "For example, our Prime Minister would be handing over about 4,000 housing complexes that we had constructed under the buyer's credit. The other HICDP projects have a direct impact on the community of the Maldives. More than 78 set projects have been undertaken. Some of them would be handed over by the Prime Minister because this is an ongoing cooperation between our two countries. Under the Line of Credit, some projects have been undertaken, whether in Addu or other parts of the country. Those would also be handed over," he added." With PM Modi slated to inaugurate some infrastructure projects and also announce new initiatives, the visit reflects the importance India attaches to its maritime neighbour, Maldives, which continues to hold a special place in India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy and Vision MAHASAGAR.
News18
04-07-2025
- Business
- News18
Eyeing To Repair Ties, Muizzu Invites PM Modi To Attend Maldives Independence Day Event
Last Updated: Muizzu visited India in October last year, which was his first bilateral visit to India since coming to power. In a move seen as an attempt to repair strained ties, Mohamed Muizzu has extended an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the Maldives Independence Day on July 26 as the Chief Guest. Maldives President Muizzu visited India in October last year, which was his first bilateral visit to India since coming to power following a campaign last year that seemed to push India out of the island nation. During Muizzu's visit, India and Maldives agreed to transform the bilateral relationship into a 'Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership'. India also decided to extend support in the form of Rs 30 billion and $400 million as part of a bilateral currency swap agreement, instrumental in tackling the ongoing financial challenges faced by the Maldives. Muizzu's visit to India was seen as an attempt to repair ties with India. PM Modi last visited Maldives in 2019. The Maldives President had also attended PM Modi's swearing-in ceremony for his third term on June 9 last year. India-Maldives Strained Ties In November 2023, Mohamed Muizzu became President, campaigning on an 'India Out" platform — calling for the withdrawal of Indian defence personnel and reducing India's influence, while showing a pro-China tilt. In early 2024, the Maldives expelled Indian troops from three aviation platforms and suspended agreements on helicopters. A social media spat began when PM Modi promoted Lakshadweep tourism. Three Maldivian deputy ministers responded with offensive remarks. India's External Affairs Minister visited Maldives; Maldives Foreign Minister Khaleel visited India in May 2025 to advance a shared economic–security framework. First Published: July 04, 2025, 14:49 IST
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First Post
02-06-2025
- 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
