President Muizzu and Jaishankar discuss strengthening Maldives-India ties

Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, on Monday, discussed strengthening ties between the two neighboring nations.

The meeting was held at India’s capital New Delhi as part of President Muizzu’s ongoing official visit to India to attend Sunday evening’s inauguration ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a third consecutive term.

According to the President’s Office, the meeting focused on bilateral collaboration, with both the President and the Minister expressing their eagerness to strengthen cooperation in areas of shared values and mutual interest.

Moreover, President Muizzu extended gratitude to Modi and the Government of India for their continued assistance to the Maldives over the years. He also expressed that it was an honor to attend the inauguration ceremony.

In return, Minister Jaishankar expressed gratitude for the President’s participation in the ceremony.

The President and the Minister concluded the meeting by reaffirming their commitment to boosting Maldives-India collaboration in the coming years.

The Maldivian leader’s ongoing visit to India marks his first to the neighboring nation since assuming office on November 17, 2023.

During the visit, he had met with Prime Minister Modi, where both leaders engaged in discussions. Little detail has been disclosed regarding the meeting by the President’s Office.

President Muizzu’s visit came amid soured relations between Male’ and New Delhi after three deputy ministers made disparaging social media comments about PM Modi and India. Ahead of his visit, the tensions had already dissipated to an extent following a visit by Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer to India in May.