Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu will visit India from October 6 to 10, 2023, in his first official bilateral visit aimed at enhancing relations with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This visit follows a period of strained relations due to Muizzu’s earlier anti-Indian rhetoric. Recent diplomatic exchanges suggest a thawing in ties, as both countries seek to strengthen cooperation and address shared concerns.

Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu is scheduled to embark on a state visit to India from October 6 to October 10, 2023. This visit marks President Muizzu’s first bilateral engagement with India since he assumed office in November 2023. Prior to this visit, he attended Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony in June 2023, along with leaders from six other regional nations. The upcoming trip is considered significant as New Delhi aims to mend ties that were strained in the aftermath of Muizzu’s ‘India Out’ campaign, which led to a reduction in the Maldives’ reliance on India, including the demand for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel stationed in the region. Despite these tensions, recent diplomatic exchanges signal a possible thawing of relations, highlighted by similar visits from top officials of both countries over the past months. During his visit, President Muizzu is expected to engage in discussions with Prime Minister Modi regarding various bilateral, regional, and international matters. Furthermore, he will also meet Indian President Droupadi Murmu and participate in business events in Mumbai and Bengaluru, which will include interaction with a substantial Maldivian diaspora. Muizzu has recently moderated his previous stance against Indian military presence, emphasizing a broader perspective on foreign military relations. His statement at Princeton University during the United Nations General Assembly reinforced this viewpoint, clarifying that the Maldives holds no enmity towards any specific nation. This visit, underscored by the Maldivian foreign ministry as pivotal for enhancing bilateral cooperation, is anticipated to bolster India-Maldives relations and foster a mutually beneficial partnership going forward.

The bilateral relationship between India and the Maldives has historically fluctuated between cooperation and tension, particularly during leadership changes. Mohamed Muizzu’s election as president marked the resurgence of nationalist sentiments that previously sparked the ‘India Out’ campaign, heavily impacting diplomatic relations. However, recent signs suggest an intention to stabilize and enhance ties, seen in the diplomatic visits exchanged between both nations. India perceives the Maldives as a critical maritime neighbor and aims to uphold regional security and cooperation through the ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and the SAGAR initiative.

In conclusion, President Mohamed Muizzu’s inaugural state visit to India is emblematic of a potential renewal in bilateral relations after a period of friction. As both nations seek to enhance cooperation on multiple fronts, the discussions during this visit may play a pivotal role in redefining the partnership between India and the Maldives, while addressing the concerns regarding foreign military presence in the region. These diplomatic efforts are expected to deepen ties and foster a more stable and collaborative future between the two neighboring countries.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com

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