India, Maldives have lot in common, happy to see relation fixed: Nasheed

The Maldives and its neighbor India share a lot in common, says former President Mohamed Nasheed, who added he is joyous of mending ties between the two countries.

The former president said this in a message on X on Sunday evening, in which he said the two countries had “so much in common.”

“India & Maldives are natural partners with so much in common: music, films, food, culture, history and geography,” Nasheed said in his post. He added he was happy to see “things fall into place” and the relationship between the two countries fixed.

Nasheed thanked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu for their efforts on strengthening the ties between the two countries.

President Muizzu is currently in India on an official state visit on the invitation of Indian President Droupadi Murmu. Muizzu, who flew to India on Sunday will be visiting three key cities of India and wrap up his trip on Thursday this week.

During his visit, President Muizzu is expected to meet with Indian President Murmu and Prime Minister Modi along with other senior Indian government officials.

Relations between the two South Asian neighbors soured after the current ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) and Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM)-led coalition came to power, which, during its time as the opposition, mounted an “India-Out” campaign aimed at deporting the country’s military personnel stationed in the Maldives.

The weakening ties further severed after three high-level Maldivian government officials derided Indian Prime Minister on social media, which attract widespread criticism from the Indian citizens, celebrities and politicians.

However, the relations between India and the Maldives have been on the mend more recently owing various efforts led by Maldivian senior government officials.