25-07-2025
Ties strong enough: India shrugs off anti-Modi post by Muizzu's brother-in-law
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Friday brushed aside media queries about a now-deleted social media post by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu's brother-in-law regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ahead of the latter's visit. Misri said India is more focused on strengthening its positive relationship with the Maldives, nearly 10 months after Muizzu visited said that rather than looking back, India prefers to focus on the future, dismissing the now-deleted critical post about PM Modi by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu's brother-in-law as mere "passing remarks."advertisementDismissing recent criticism from Muizzu's brother-in-law, Misri said, "Our ties are strong enough to withstand some of these passing remarks that have been made and have also withstood the test of time...I would prefer to look going with everything that has happened today and especially in the past 9-10 months since President Mohamed Muizzu visited India, the future is undoubtedly and unquestionably bright."
The statements were made in response to a deleted social media post by Abdullah bin Mohammed Ibrahim, who referred to PM Modi as a "terrorist". PM Modi's visit to the Maldives resulted in several key agreements, including an extension of India's Line of Credit (LoC) to Rs 4,850 crore and kickstarting negotiations for an India-Maldives Free Trade Agreement (IMFTA).Highlighting the importance of security cooperation in the Indian Ocean, Misri said, "Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu expressed his commitment to the importance that the Maldives attaches to security-related issues and the commitment of the two sides to continue to work together.""For us, it is always friendship first," PM Modi said in his media statement earlier today, adding the "roots of our relations are older than history, and as deep as the ocean."During his third official visit to the island nation, PM Modi also took part in the 60th Independence Day celebrations in the Maldives. He was warmly received by President Muizzu and other senior visit saw the inauguration of various development projects, including the handing over of 3,300 social housing units in Hulhumale and the launch of roads and drainage projects in Addu City. These projects reflect India's commitment to supporting infrastructure development in the gratitude for the warm reception, PM Modi said, "India and the Maldives are making significant efforts to further strengthen their mutual relations."PM Modi also handed over 72 vehicles and equipment for use by the Maldives National Defence defence ministry building is a "concrete building of trust" and it is a symbol of our "strong partnership", the prime minister said."India will continue to support Maldives in the development of its defence capabilities. Peace, stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region is our common goal," he comments came against the backdrop of New Delhi's concerns over China's attempts to expand its influence over the his remarks, Modi said the Maldives holds an "important place" in both India's "Neighbourhood First" policy and its MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision."India is also proud to be the most trusted friend of Maldives. Be it a disaster or a pandemic, India has always stood by as a 'first responder'," he said.- EndsInputs from PTIMust Watch
