Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Malé for a state visit (July 25‑26, 2025), greeted by President Mohamed Muizzu. Visit underscores renewed India‑Maldives ties.

PM Modi Lands in Maldives, Welcomed by President Mohamed Muizzu

A Warm Embrace Marks Diplomatic Reset

On July 25, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Malé, Maldives, received personally by President Mohamed Muizzu along with senior Cabinet Ministers including foreign, defence, finance, and homeland security heads. The leaders shared a warm hug, setting the tone for a visit aimed at restoring goodwill following earlier strains in bilateral ties.

Traditional performances, chants of “Vande Mataram” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”, Indian‑style dance routines, and vibrant cultural pageantry greeted the Indian delegation, reflecting both diplomatic warmth and people‑to‑people affection.

Significance of the Visit: Independence Day & Milestone Ties

This trip serves multiple symbolic functions. Modi has been invited as Guest of Honour at the Maldives’ 60th Independence Day celebration on July 26, which also coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and the Maldives. This marks his third visit as Prime Minister to the Maldives, but notably the first time a foreign head of government visits under President Muizzu, who assumed office in November 2023.

From Friction to Strategic Friendship

When President Muizzu came to power pledging an “India Out” policy and improved ties with China, bilateral relations suffered. Derogatory remarks by Maldivian ministers and calls to remove Indian troops heightened tensions in early 2024. Tourism from India fell sharply, and diplomatic goodwill suffered.

Since then, both sides have engaged in sustained diplomacy. India helped the Maldives avert a looming debt crisis. Official sources say India arranged a currency swap and extended support worth hundreds of millions to stabilize the Maldivian economy.

Development Aid and Economic Agenda

India is expected to offer a $565 million line of credit, with formal talks underway for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and investment treaty between the two nations.

During the visit, Modi will virtually inaugurate development projects funded by India, including an upgrade at Hanimadhoo International Airport. The Maldives and India are also set to sign multiple MoUs spanning infrastructure, maritime security, climate resilience, and people-to-people exchanges.

Strategic Vision and Regional Security

The visit underscores India’s Neighbourhood First and Vision MAHASAGAR framework, aiming to strengthen maritime security cooperation and regional stability across the Indian Ocean.

Maldives’ recent pivot—including signing trade pacts with China and Turkey—led to a debt burden and strategic uncertainty. New Delhi’s outreach now includes maritime defence cooperation and broader economic connectivity to counterbalance competing regional influences.

People’s Moments & Symbolic Diplomacy

At one venue, Indian children dressed in traditional attire performed a classical dance. After the show, PM Modi personally applauded them—removing security barricades and engaging warmly with the youngsters. One performer shared: “It felt like a dream… He smiled and waved at us — I’ll never forget it”.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri noted that despite external pressures, top-level attention and patient diplomacy allowed both sides to recalibrate their bilateral narrative and pave the way for renewed cooperation.

Prime Minister Modi’s July 25–26, 2025, state visit to the Maldives marks a crucial reset in relations with President Mohamed Muizzu’s administration. The warm arrival, coupled with strategic talks, infrastructure projects, and cultural engagement, signal a deliberate return to cooperation after turbulence. As both nations celebrate six decades of diplomatic relations, Modi’s presence as chief guest underscores an optimistic forward path—anchored in strategic partnership, economic collaboration, and regional security alignment.

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