maldives
Relations between India and Maldives are once again back on track. Relations between the two countries had soured since Mohammed Muizzu became President, but after the bad times that started due to the economic shock, Maldives came on the backfoot. Now Maldivian government ministers are touring India. After the recent visit of the Foreign Minister, now Maldives Defense Minister Mohammad Ghassan Maumoon has also reached India, after which he met Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. Rajnath Singh reaffirmed India’s commitment to deepen ties with Maldives in a delegation level meeting with his Maldivian counterpart. Reflecting on President Mohammad Muizzu’s recent visit to India, Rajnath Singh said, “I remember our brief meeting with you during the state visit of President Mohammad Muizzu to India in October 2024.”
The Defense Minister stressed the enduring spiritual, historical, linguistic and ethnic ties between the two countries, and described the relations as close, cordial and multidimensional. Rajnath Singh said Maldives holds a special place under India’s Neighbors First policy, a strategic framework aimed at ensuring regional stability and prosperity. “Maldives enjoys a special position under India’s Neighborhood First policy, which aims to bring stability and prosperity to the Indian Ocean region,” he said. Highlighting the shared role of both the countries in maintaining security in the Indian Ocean, the Defense Minister said, “Both the countries play a major role in maintaining the safety and security of the Indian Ocean Region, thus ensuring security and development for all in the region. Contribute to.”
India’s strong defense cooperation with Maldives was another focal point of the talks between the Defense Ministers of the two countries. Singh also mentioned the capacity building opportunities offered by India, including training programmes, joint exercises, workshops and supplies of defense equipment. Emphasizing the importance of maintaining this momentum, he said, “India will continue to support Maldives and the Maldives National Defense Force in their capacity building efforts through projects, equipment and training. As a trusted partner and a close friend, assure that India will continue to support the development needs of Maldives and the welfare of its people.”
Foreign Minister of Maldives also visited India
Let us tell you that this visit of Defense Minister Mohammad Ghassan Maumoon is taking place at a time when, a few days ago, Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Khalil had visited India and Foreign Minister S. Had extensive talks with Jaishankar. Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar had said in the meeting held on January 3 that Maldives is a shining example of India’s Neighborhood First policy and promised New Delhi’s support to the island nation located in the Indian Ocean. He had said, “Our partnership has increased in various fields and India has always stood with Maldives. For us, cooperation with you is a great example of our neighborhood first policy.” Maldives is one of India’s major maritime neighbors in the Indian Ocean region and overall bilateral relations, including defence, witnessed growth during the tenure of the previous government in Maldives.
