From 'India Out' To Engagement: Maldives President Muizzu Set For India Visit From 6 To 10 October— What You Need To Know

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu is expected to visit India from 6 to 10 October.

Although Muizzu was present at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony in June, this upcoming visit marks his first 'standalone' bilateral visit to India, nearly a year after he assumed office in Male.

Muizzu is likely to engage in bilateral discussions with PM Modi on 7 October, Indian Express reported citing sources.

His itinerary is expected to include visits to Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, with plans underway for a packed schedule.

Though preparations for Muizzu’s visit have been ongoing for roughly a month, finding mutually convenient dates was proving to be key issue.

Ahead of his visit, Muizzu on 27 September had condemned the derisive comments made about PM Modi by two of his former deputy ministers, and said that he is not pursuing any anti-India agenda.

Softening public criticism against India, Muizzu had said the deputy ministers were wrong to insult Modi.

Muizzu made these remarks during his visit to the United States for the UN General Assembly.

“No one should say such a thing. I took action against it. I will not accept insulting anyone like that, whether he is a leader or an ordinary person. Every human being has a reputation,” he had said.

Earlier this ear, former Maldivian ministers Malsha Shareef and Mariyam Shiuna had made derogatory comments about PM Modi in social media posts, sparking a diplomatic row between the Maldives and India.

Both ministers were initially suspended but later resigned.

Regarding the issue of pursuing an anti-India and pro-China agenda, Muizzu stated, "We have never been against any one country at any point. It’s not ‘India Out’. Maldives faced a serious problem with foreign military presence on its soil. The people of Maldives do not want a single foreign soldier in the country.”

Earlier this year, following his bilateral visit to China, Muizzu criticised India indirectly, describing it as a bully without explicitly naming New Delhi.

“We might be a small country, but that does not give you the licence to bully us,” he had said.

The significance of Muizzu's visit lies in the fact that India and Maldives have experienced a decline in bilateral relations after he took office last year on the plank of his ‘India Out’ campaign.

Shortly after taking office in November 2023, Muizzu requested India to withdraw its military personnel.

Subsequently, the two nations agreed that India would remove around 80 military personnel stationed in the Maldives between 10 March and 10 May.

The Ministry of External Affairs had stated that two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft in the Maldives would be operated by “competent Indian technical personnel” who would take over from the “present personnel.”

Following the completion of personnel replacements, Maldives Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer visited Delhi in May.

A month later, Muizzu attended Modi’s swearing-in ceremony in June.

In August, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited Male to discuss various aspects of bilateral cooperation.

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