India EAM: Maldives relations a priority, visit will lay foundation of ‘bigger and better things’

India’s partnership with Maldives is a priority for New Delhi and one which has delivered results and tangible benefits, says Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, adding that his current visit to Male’ will lay the foundation of “bigger and better things” in the days to come.

He made the remarks in a press statement following a meeting on Friday evening with Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer.

Jaishankar arrived on a three-day visit to Maldives on Friday. It marks the top Indian diplomat’s first visit to Male’ since President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration took office in November last year.

Speaking to reporters following a meeting with his Maldivian counterpart, Jaishankar said he was delighted to be back in the Maldives and thanked Zameer for the warm welcome and hospitality.

He described his visit as an opportunity to take stock of what Maldives and India have achieved together, as well as to “chart out an aspirational blueprint for the coming years of what we are confident, will be a truly multifaceted partnership.”

Jaishankar described Maldives as one of the cornerstones of India’s 'Neighborhood First' policy and Security and Growth for all in the Region (SAGAR) vision, as well as of the country’s commitment to the Global South.

“To put it succinctly in the words of my Prime Minister Narendra Modi – for India, neighborhood is a priority and, in the neighborhood, Maldives is a priority. We also share the closest of bonds of history and kinship,” he said.

Jaishankar said that the Maldives-India partnership is one which has delivered results and brought tangible benefits.

“It is a partnership that has enabled us to always swiftly and effectively respond to challenges, as witnessed in the past. It is a partnership that has enabled us to deliver results and bring tangible benefits to our peoples in accordance with their wishes, aspirations and priorities. Let us appreciate that our partnership makes a difference to the everyday life of a common citizen here,” he said.

He highlighted on the India-backed projects inaugurated on Friday, including the establishment of a mental health unit, a speech therapy unit, an education support unit, and the installation of street lights in islands across the country.

“I think we can in many ways and we do, actually change everyday lives of the common citizens,” he added.

During Friday’s meeting, Jaishankar and Zameer discussed various aspects of Maldives-India relations, including development partnership, defense and maritime cooperation, capacity building, economic and trade ties, and people-to-people linkages.

Jaishankar reiterated India's consistent and continued support to Maldives in its quest for progress and prosperity.

On Saturday, Jaishankar will meet with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and Defense Minister Ghassan Maumoon.

He is also scheduled to meet with Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed and Finance Minister Dr. Abdulla Shafeeq.

At Friday’s press briefing, Jaishankar said he was looking forward to the meetings, and keen to deepen Maldives-India cooperation.

“India’s development cooperation paradigm is that India’s own development is inseparable from that of the rest of the world, particularly the neighborhood. Naturally, development cooperation has emerged as a key pillar of our partnership with the Maldives,” he said.

“Over the next 3 days, we will be showcasing the results of our partnership and demonstrate how it has enabled the government of Maldives to build infrastructure, broaden the economic base, make the economy more robust and resilient.”

In addition to the six high impact community development projects inaugurated virtually on Friday, Jaishankar is also set to virtually inaugurate and hand over water and sewerage projects across 28 islands on Saturday.

He is also scheduled to visit Addu, where he will tour the city’s reclamation project and the detour link bridge.

“Let me underscore that we are not just close neighbors, we are also natural partners. Today, we are mutually invested in each other’s development and progress. In a globalized and interconnected world, we see a lot of volatility and global tensions,” he said.

Jaishankar noted that as the world recovers from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, it has been confronted with new challenges arising from international conflicts.

“In this tumultuous environment, India has been and will be, an anchor of stability for its friends, partners and neighbors. To Maldives specifically, we have provided support to deal with economic challenges through financial assistance and budgetary support, and by ensuring uninterrupted supply of critical items. Our actions have and will continue to be guided by our firm commitment in the philosophy of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabke Vikas’ – which is- Together, we prosper,” he said.

“I hope that my visit and the discussions which we will have Minister, will jointly lay the foundation of bigger and better things in the days to come.”

Relations between Male’ and New Delhi had grown strained after President Muizzu demanded that India withdraw its troops from Maldives – executing a pledge he made during his presidential campaign. Things escalated further after three Maldivian deputy ministers made disparaging remarks regarding India and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the social media platform X.

Maldives Foreign Ministry was quick to distance itself from the remarks, saying that they do not represent the views of the Male’ government. The three junior ministers were suspended.

With Jaishankar’s visit, relations between Male’ and New Delhi appear to be in the mend.

It follows three key visits between from Maldives to India in recent months. The first was by Zameer in May.. It followed President Muizzu’s visit to attend Modi’s inauguration for a third term in office in June. Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal visited India for roadshows in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru last week – seeking to boost arrivals from India which had plummeted in the wake of a social media boycott campaign sparked by the ministers’ derogatory remarks.

Meanwhile, President Muizzu is expected make his highly anticipated official visit to India sometime in September.

However, the dates have yet to be confirmed.

Officials from both Male’ and Delhi have repeatedly expressed keenness to maintaining relations between the two countries.