New Delhi: Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu is set to travel to India on October 6 for his first bilateral visit, said the Indian Ministry of External Affairs on Friday. This marks his second trip to India this year.
In an official statement, the Ministry noted, “President of the Republic of Maldives, H.E. Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, will be visiting India from October 6 to October 10, 2024. This will be his inaugural bilateral visit to India.”
During his stay, President Muizzu is scheduled to meet with Indian President Droupadi Murmu and engage in bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit will also include stops in Mumbai and Bengaluru, where he will participate in various business events.
Muizzu’s earlier visit to India took place in June, when he attended PM Modi’s swearing-in ceremony after his third consecutive election victory.
Regarded as a pro-China leader, Muizzu has shifted the diplomatic focus of the Maldives, choosing to visit China and Turkey first after taking office, in contrast to his predecessors who traditionally visited India for their inaugural international trips. His electoral campaign prominently featured the ‘India Out’ slogan, advocating for the removal of Indian military personnel from the Maldives.
Tensions between India and the Maldives escalated last year due to critical comments made by some Maldivian ministers regarding PM Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep, a move perceived as competitive to Maldives’ tourism sector.
Upon assuming the presidency, Muizzu directed the withdrawal of Indian military personnel, a process that was completed this year. The Maldives is an important maritime neighbor of India in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and is integral to India’s vision of ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and the ‘Neighbourhood First Policy,’ as emphasized by the MEA.