Indian PM: India has always played role of first responder for Maldives

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that Maldives holds an important position in India’s ‘Neighborhood First’ policy, adding that India has always played the role of first responder for Maldives.

PM Modi made the remarks while delivering a joint press statement with visiting Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu following bilateral talks at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi.

PM Modi said that Maldives holds an important position in India’s ‘Neighborhood First’ policy and Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) policy.

“India and Maldives relations are centuries old. India is Maldives’ nearest neighbor and close friend,” he said.

“India has always played the role of first responder for Maldives."

He expressed a commitment to enhancing relations with Maldives.

He also highlighted on India’s decision to provide critical financial support to Maldives to alleviate its current economic woes, including the rollover of rollover of two USD 50 million T-bills and an USD 400 million currency swap agreement signed on Monday.

PM Modi said that India will always prioritize the needs of the Maldivian people.

Relations between Male’ and New Delhi had been strained in the early days of President Muizzu’s presidency after he demanded that India withdraw its troops from Maldives – executing a pledge he made during his presidential campaign. Things escalated further after three Maldivian deputy ministers made disparaging remarks regarding India and Indian Prime Minister Modi on the social media platform X.

Maldives Foreign Ministry was quick to distance itself from the remarks, saying that they do not represent the views of the Male’ government. The three junior ministers were suspended, and two of them – Mariyam Shiuna and Malsha Shareef resigned last month.

Despite the earlier turmoil, officials from both Male’ and Delhi have repeatedly expressed keenness to maintaining relations between the two countries.