Maldives leader says India an ‘invaluable’ partner

Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu described India as an invaluable partner on Saturday, as he attended a ceremony marking the completion of dozens of New Delhi-backed infrastructure projects across the Maldives.

The ceremony held at the President’s Office on Saturday afternoon marked the official handover of water and sewerage facilities in 28 islands. The projects were financed through a USD 800 million line of credit via India’s Exim Bank.

The handover was carried out by Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, who arrived in Maldives on a three-day visit the previous day. It marks the top Indian diplomat’s first visit to Male’ since the new Maldivian administration took office in November last year.

Addressing the ceremony, President Muizzu said that Jaishankar’s visit is a testament to the enhancement of the historical close relations between Maldives and India.

He said that the infrastructure projects handed over on Saturday represent significant milestones in the development of the Maldives, and in bilateral relations between the two countries.

“These projects are designed to improve the quality of life in our communities. They will bring substantial economic benefits, uplift our local economies, and collectively contribute to the prosperity of our nation,” he said.

He thanked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his government, and the people of India for their continued assistance to the Maldives.

President Muizzu said that the aid provided by Maldives’ bilateral partners, particularly India, has been instrumental.

“The aid and financial assistance provided by our bilateral partners, particularly India, has been instrumental. India has always been one of our closest allies and invaluable partners, facilitating and providing aid whenever we need it,” he said.

President Muizzu reiterated his administration’s “full commitment to strengthening the historic relations between our two countries to reach new heights in the coming years.”

The projects hand over on Saturday includes water supply facilities in 22 islands, sewerage facilities on two islands, and combined water supply and sewerage facilities in four islands.

It will benefit over 28,000 people living in the 28 islands – making for seven percent of the total population.

President Muizzu described the projects as a testament to the deep collaboration between Maldives and India in socioeconomic development.

He noted that there are more transformative projects underway under the scheme – which his administration hoped to expedite.

He also thanked India for the flexibility shown in restructuring the line of credit facility.

“These initiatives renew our hope for a more prosperous and fulfilling future for our people,” he said.

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.