New Delhi: The Maldives will not take any actions that could compromise India’s security and views New Delhi as a “valued partner and friend,” President Mohamed Muizzu said on Sunday upon his arrival in the Indian capital for his first bilateral visit. He emphasized that cooperation in various sectors, including defense, will “always be a priority.”
Mr. Muizzu, often regarded as a ‘pro-China’ leader who ran his election campaign with an ‘India Out’ stance, told a national English daily that the Maldives’ relationship with India is “founded on respect and shared interests.” He acknowledged that India has long been one of his country’s largest trade and development partners.
The Maldives president is set to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi later today.
“The Maldives would never take any action that compromises India’s security. While we deepen cooperation with other countries across various sectors, we remain dedicated to ensuring that our actions do not jeopardize the security and stability of our region,” President Mohamed Muizzu said in an interview with *The Times of India*.
Without directly mentioning China, Mr. Muizzu emphasized his government’s commitment to “fostering growth and development through diverse international collaborations.” He highlighted his ‘Maldives First’ policy, stressing that it is crucial for the Maldives to broaden its international partnerships and reduce over-reliance on any single country. However, he assured that such efforts would not undermine India’s interests.
“Respect for our neighbors and friends is part of our core values,” he said, while extending an invitation to Indian tourists. “Indians make a positive contribution… Indian tourists are always welcome,” he added, championing the country’s tourism sector, which had suffered following last year’s diplomatic tensions.
This is Mr. Muizzu’s first bilateral visit, and his remarks signal improving relations after a months-long diplomatic standoff last year. The tensions were sparked by comments made by three Maldivian ministers about Prime Minister Modi, following a social media post suggesting Lakshadweep as an alternative tourist destination to the Maldives.
The Maldives’ Foreign Ministry distanced itself from these remarks, leading to the suspension of the ministers. Two of them, Mariyam Shiuna and Malsha Shareef, resigned last month after the bilateral visit was confirmed.
Additionally, in May, just weeks before attending Mr. Modi’s swearing-in ceremony, the Maldives requested the withdrawal of 90 Indian military personnel stationed at three aviation platforms provided by India, raising concerns. India complied, replacing the military personnel with “competent technical” staff.
The removal of Indian military personnel and the ‘India Out’ stance were key elements of Mr. Muizzu’s election campaign. When asked about these issues, the President said he “acted in line with the wishes of the Maldivian people,” but emphasized that India remains a vital partner in maintaining regional stability.
“This historic relationship is deeply rooted, like the intertwined roots of a tree… built on centuries of shared exchanges and values. The bond between the Maldives and India has always been strong,” he said.
Earlier, Mr. Muizzu had denied pursuing an ‘India Out’ agenda but expressed concern over the presence of foreign military forces in the Maldives. “The people of Maldives do not want a single foreign soldier on our soil,” he was quoted by PTI in an interview with local news outlet Adhadhu.com
Mr. Muizzu also highlighted India-supported infrastructure projects, such as the Greater Malé Connectivity Scheme and the provision of water and sewerage facilities for 28 islands across the archipelago.
The Maldives, a key maritime neighbor of India in the Indian Ocean region, has seen its overall bilateral relations—particularly in defense and security—strengthen significantly under the previous administration of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
During his visit to Malé in August, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized the “common challenges” and “shared interest” between India and the Maldives in maintaining peace and security in the region.
