Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, who reached New Delhi on Sunday for a four-day state visit, promised India that his country will not do anything to endanger India’s security. The Maldives government is facing an economic crisis in its tourist paradise and aims to improve its strained relationship with India, making this visit crucial.
The diplomatic ties between the two nations have been tense ever since the Maldives minister criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi, causing a major dispute. The decision to pull out Indian troops from the island worsened the relations between the two countries. Mohamed Muizzu , who is thought to have strong ties with China, stressed that the nation’s connections with China would not compromise India’s security interests.
The Maldives would never take actions that jeopardize India’s security. India is a respected ally and friend of the Maldives, with our bond based on mutual respect and common interests. In an interview with The Times of India, Mohamed Muizzu stated that as we strengthen our collaboration with other nations in different fields, we continue to prioritize safeguarding the security and stability of our region.
Mohamed Muizzu explained that the country requested New Delhi to remove its troops in light of domestic priorities. The Maldives and India now possess an improved comprehension of each other’s priorities and concerns. I did what the Maldives people requested of me. The latest adjustments show our commitment to addressing national concerns. He stated that our examination of previous contracts is focused on ensuring they coincide with our country’s interests and help promote stability in the region.
He repeated his position, stating that the country’s bond with India is robust and his trip to New Delhi is intended to reinforce it even more. The visit coincides with a financial crisis in the Maldives, where the popular tourist destination is at risk of not being able to pay its debt due to a decrease in foreign exchange reserves to $440 million.
Mohamed Muizzu’s People’s National Congress took office last year by promoting its ‘India Out’ campaign. While in the United States, the President of the Maldives expressed concerns about foreign military presence on the island nation, emphasizing that the issue was not targeted at any specific country, and explaining the decision to request New Delhi to remove its troops.
He had a meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and has plans to discuss with President Droupadi Murmu and PM Modi on Monday. This is his second trip to India after he attended PM Modi’s swearing-in ceremony in June.