New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is set to embark on a three-day visit to the Maldives on Friday, a move seen as an attempt to mend the diplomatic ties soured lately over several issues, including withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the island nation.
Signalling a renewed effort to bolster the relationship between the two nations, Jaishankar will pay an official visit to the Maldives from August 9 to 11. The EAM’s visit follows the recent visit of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu to India for the swearing-in ceremony of the new Cabinet and Council of Ministers. Jaishankar had previously visited Maldives in January 2023.
In an official statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said that Jaishankar’s visit focus on strengthening the close partnership between the two countries and to enhance the bilateral ties further.
“Maldives is India’s key maritime neighbour and an important partner in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ Policy and our Vision ‘SAGAR’ i.e. Security and Growth for All in the Region. The visit is aimed at strengthening the close partnership between the two countries and to explore avenues to enhance the bilateral relationship further,” the statement read.
Are India, Maldives seeking to repair fractured ties?
Jaishankar’s visit comes amid a downturn in the bilateral ties between the two countries since pro-China president Muizzu assumed office in November last year. The ties between India and the Maldives nosedived after Muizzu directed withdrawal of Indian military troops from the country. The relationship between the two countries worsened further after three Maldivian ministers made derogatory comments about Prime Minister Narendra Modi following his visit to Lakshadweep.
However, it seems the two countries are now trying to iron out their differences. The Maldivian President’s recent visit to India to attend PM Modi’s swearing-in ceremony in New Delhi was perceived as a renewed effort to bring bilateral ties between the countries back on track.
After returning from India, Muizzu described his first official visit as a “success” for the Maldives and the region. “This trip has been a success for the Maldives and for the region too,” he told the state-run PSM Media at the end of his first India visit.
In June, Prime Minister Modi had also extended Eid-ul-Adha greetings to Muizzu. Now, Jaishankar’s three-day visit to the country is also hinting towards the same effort (mending ties).