In the first high-level visit by a senior official from the Muizzu government, next week Maldives Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer is likely to visit India. The visit expected to be around May 9 marks a significant diplomatic engagement between the two countries.
This visit will be the first high-level visit by a senior official from the Muizzu government to India since the government assumed office in November last year.
Expected Agenda of Talks
The dates have not been announced officially. However, when Minister Moosa Zameer and Minister Jaishankar meet, their discussions are expected to set the tone for future engagements.Also, since India is involved in many infrastructure development projects in that country, the two sides are likely to talk about those and how to address other issues.
These talks are expected to set the tone for future engagements between the two countries.
India-Maldives Relations
Since assuming office, the Muizzu government in Maldives has strained ties with India, showing a pro-China stance, anti-India rhetoric, and calling for the removal of Indian troops engaged in humanitarian efforts. Talks during this visit are crucial for resetting bilateral relations, which have cooled recently.Under Muizzu’s leadership, relations with India have soured, with ministers making anti-India remarks and advocating for the withdrawal of Indian troops aiding in Maldives. Dr S Jaishankar and Minister Moosa held talks at the NAM summit in Kampala, discussing India’s renewal of quotas for essential imports, reaffirming New Delhi’s “neighbourhood first policy”.
Traditionally, Maldives’ new governments visit India to affirm their “India first” policy, but President Muizzu’s initial foreign visits included trips to Turkey, the UAE, and China, breaking from tradition.
Meanwhile …
At the fourth Meeting of the India-Maldives High-Level Core Group in New Delhi on May 3, 2024, discussions continued on various issues such as defence cooperation, development projects, trade, investment, and capacity building.They also reviewed efforts to sustain Indian aviation platforms providing humanitarian and medical services in Maldives. The next meeting is expected to convene in Male soon.
