New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit the Maldives next year as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral relations, the Ministry of External Affairs announced on Monday. The visit will follow Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu’s first official trip to India, which has set the stage for deepened cooperation between the two nations.
President Muizzu, who arrived in Delhi on Sunday, held extensive discussions with PM Modi on Monday, marking a renewed push for stronger cooperation after a period of strained relations. The talks revolved around expanding the developmental partnership between the two countries, with a focus on infrastructure projects and economic collaboration tailored to the Maldives’ evolving needs.
In a joint statement issued after the meeting, both leaders committed to advancing ongoing initiatives, emphasizing their mutual goal of ensuring tangible benefits for the Maldivian people. “We are focused on building and supporting critical infrastructure across the Maldives, including housing, healthcare facilities, roads, ports, and airports,” PM Modi said, highlighting India’s role in several key projects.
Among the flagship projects discussed was the Greater Male Connectivity Project (GMCP), a vital infrastructure initiative aimed at improving transportation links across the island nation. India also pledged continued support for housing initiatives to address the country’s growing demand for affordable homes. Additionally, the two leaders agreed to expedite the development of a commercial port on Thilafushi island, which will ease congestion at Male’s port and boost trade efficiency.
India and Maldives also plan to collaborate on establishing an “Agriculture Economic Zone” in the Haa Dhaalu atoll and launching a fish processing and canning facility in the Haa Alifu atoll. These projects aim to diversify the Maldives’ economy, which has traditionally been reliant on tourism and fishing.
President Muizzu expressed his gratitude to India for its financial assistance, including the extension of a $100 million credit facility that helped stabilize the Maldives’ economy. The leaders also explored new ways to strengthen trade ties, including the possibility of settling trade transactions in local currencies, a move that could reduce reliance on foreign currency reserves.
Tourism, a vital sector for the Maldivian economy, was another area of focus, with both leaders agreeing to boost tourism flows through joint marketing efforts and campaigns. Furthermore, they plan to collaborate on energy security by implementing renewable energy projects, including solar power, to help the Maldives meet its sustainability goals.
The leaders also agreed to conclude a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to institutionalize cooperation between the Parliaments of India and the Maldives, fostering greater exchanges between leadership, parliamentarians, and local government representatives.
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