From 'India Out' to Guest of Honour: Why Maldives President Muizzu invited PM Modi for Independence Day fete

The Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the chief guest at the Maldives Independence Day celebrations to be held on July 25 and 26. This will be the Prime Minister’s third visit to the Island but the first after Mohamed Muizzu assumed the presidency of the Maldives.

“Modi will be the 'Guest of Honour' at the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the Independence of the Maldives on July 26.  The two leaders will discuss a plethora of issues, including mutual cooperation, India-Maldives Joint Vision, and others,” the MEA said.

The statement indicates that India and the Maldives have reset their diplomatic relations, which tanked after the Muizzu government took charge following an ‘India Out’ campaign. The ties soured further after he demanded India withdraw its security personnel from the island, which India completed by May. Muizzu also decided to adopt a China-first policy, opting for Beijing as his first foreign destination. After his visit, he declared, “India was a bully”.

But, as the dust settled, reality dawned. The leader who ran his campaign on nationalistic fervour had to recalibrate his policy Maldives faced an economic collapse. As the relationship with India soured, Indian tourists began ditching the island.

His attempt to court alternative partnerships with China and Gulf nations failed as China didn’t show much enthusiasm in providing aid due to the Maldives’ existing debt burden and restructuring requests. Responses from Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern nations haven’t been good either.

That forced Muizzu to turn to India, which continues to be the country’s biggest trading partner. It was using India’s bailout that Muizzu was able to avert a sovereign default in September 2024. India extended aid to the Maldives equivalent to US$757 million. It was decided to continued large-scale infrastructure development work, including an international airport in northern Maldives, a bridge and road project in southern Maldives, a large housing development project in the capital Malé, and a new bridge connecting the island of Malé with its western suburban islands.

The next month, Muizzu was in India on a state visit which mend the strain in ties. It was during this trip that Muizzu invited Modi to the Maldives. Later, Foreign Minister Abdullah Halil visited India and invited the PM to visit the Island. 

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