Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu Begins Five-Day State Visit to India
New Delhi: Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu arrived in New Delhi on the afternoon of October 6 for a significant five-day state visit, marking his first trip to India since taking office. Invited by President Droupadi Murmu, this visit underscores the importance of bilateral relations between the two nations.
During his time in India, President Muizzu is scheduled to engage in high-level discussions with President Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and other senior officials. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is expected to meet with him later in the evening, followed by a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhawan on Monday.
As part of his itinerary, Muizzu will pay homage at Rajghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, before engaging in bilateral talks with PM Modi at Hyderabad House. His meetings will also include Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and additional discussions with President Murmu.
Accompanied by First Lady Sajidha Mohamed and a high-ranking delegation, President Muizzu plans to visit Agra on Tuesday. His agenda reflects a commitment to enhancing bilateral relations with nations crucial to the Maldives’ development and growth, emphasizing a proactive foreign policy.
“President Muizzu remains dedicated to strengthening bilateral ties and fostering robust cooperation with India,” his office stated. The discussions during this visit will focus on bolstering collaboration and further enhancing the long-standing relationship between the two countries.
Additionally, the President is scheduled to make business visits to Mumbai and Bangalore, highlighting the economic dimensions of their partnership.
Earlier in June 2024, Muizzu attended Prime Minister Modi’s swearing-in ceremony and also met him during the COP28 summit in Dubai in December 2023.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, emphasized that this visit signifies India’s commitment to its relationship with the Maldives, aiming to strengthen cooperation and enhance people-to-people ties.
The Maldives holds a strategic position in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, with India continuing to provide substantial development assistance, despite strains in relations last year. Various projects funded by India have significantly benefitted the Maldivian populace, reinforcing the enduring partnership between the two nations.
