Iruthisham heads to India on official visit at Jaishankar’s invitation

Maldivian Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam has departed on an official visit to India’s capital, New Delhi, on Tuesday, at the invitation of her Indian counterpart, Minister of External Affairs of India Dr. S. Jaishankar.

This marks her first official visit abroad following her appointment as the Foreign Minister.

According to the Foreign Ministry, during this visit, Iruthisham will hold a bilateral meeting with Jaishankar, providing an opportunity for both ministers to review the existing bilateral and multilateral cooperation between the two countries and discuss key issues of mutual interest. 

Iruthisham is accompanied by the Foreign Ministry’s Additional Secretary Dr. Ibrahim Zuhuree, and Assistant Director Aminath Guraisha.

Neighboring India continues to be one of the Maldives’ closest partners, with the two countries maintaining a long-standing relationship founded on strong cultural, economic, and social ties.

However, the current administration came to power following the large-scale “India Out” campaign, which called for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives.

As a result, relations between the two countries became strained during the early period of the administration, a situation that was further intensified by controversial remarks made by several deputy ministers regarding Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian people.

Since then, President Muizzu’s administration has taken multiple steps aimed at restoring and strengthening bilateral ties with India. Notably, President Muizzu has undertaken two official visits to India, while Prime Minister Modi paid a state visit to the Maldives during last year’s Independence Day celebrations.

Amid these diplomatic developments, the current administration has seen three separate appointments to the position of Foreign Minister. The latest appointee, Iruthisham, previously served as the Maldivian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.