All eyes are on Maldivian foreign minister Abdulla Khaleel who arrived in the national capital on Thursday for a three-day visit to India. This comes after a US media report had alleged that the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) sought India’s involvement in removing Muizzu via impeachment earlier this year, a claim dismissed by the country’s former PM.
This is Khaleel’s first visit to India since taking office. Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for Ministry of External Affairs, welcomed the Foreign Minister on his first official visit to India. He highlighted the Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership, which was discussed during President Mohamed Muizzu’s five-day visit to India in October 2024.
“Working towards India-Maldives joint vision of a ‘Comprehensive Economic & Maritime Security Partnership’. Warm welcome to FM @abkhaleel of Maldives on his first official visit to India,” Jaiswal said on X.
What’s On Agenda?
The ties came under severe strain under Muizzu, however, efforts are on from both the sides to reset ties.
India-Maldives Ties
Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed, however, said that India would never back such a move, adding that he had no knowledge of the alleged plot. “I read with interest today’s @washingtonpost article. I was unaware of any serious plot against the President; tho some people always live in conspiracy. India would never back such a move, as they always support Maldives’s democracy. India has never dictated terms to us, either,” Nasheed posted on X.
The ties between the two countries were severely affected after popular figures in Muizzu’s government made derogatory remarks against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, they were suspended. Both countries have been trying to mend ties.
