NEW DELHI: "For us it is always friendship first," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Maldives , reflecting how its ties with India had come a full circle in less than two years.
PM Modi and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu held talks on Friday to mend bilateral ties , which had been strained following the 2023 "India Out" campaign and a diplomatic dispute triggered by derogatory remarks made against PM Modi by Maldivian officials the following year.
The two leaders also discussed cooperation in trade, defence and infrastructure. India also announced handing-over of 72 vehicles and other equipment to the Maldivian defence ministry.
In his address, PM Modi said, "This year, India and Maldives are also celebrating 60 years of their diplomatic relations. But the roots of our relations are older than history and as deep as the sea. The commemorative stamps released today display traditional boats of both nations. This reflects that we are not just neighbours but also co-passenegrs."
How the ties were mended?
New Delhi's consistent diplomatic outreach and economic support to the Maldives played a crucial role in restoring ties. PM Modi's visit to the island nation comes as a part of this effort.
PM Modi's visit for Maldives came bearing several economic benefits for the country including a free trade agreement, a credit of 565 million dollars, 72 heavy vehicles to its defence ministry, 3,300 social housing units among others:
Here's a list:
How the ties soured?
India and Maldives have seen a tumultuous relationship, especially after the "India Out" campaign and diplomatic dispute over derogatory remarks against PM Modi.
Muizzu, widely seen as pro-China, rose to power in the island nation in November 2023 after leading an "India Out" campaign. However, he had later denied any such agenda, asserting that the island nation had a “serious problem” with the presence of foreign military on its soil.
In the initial months of his presidency, Muizzu's policies led to a sharp deterioration in bilateral ties. Just hours after taking oath, he called for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the Maldives. In response, India replaced them with civilian staff.
The Indian personnel had been stationed there to operate and maintain two helicopters and an aircraft used primarily for humanitarian assistance and rescue missions.
The ties hit rock bottom, when in 2024, several deputy ministers in the Maldives’ youth ministry posted derogatory comments about PM Modi on social media. The officials were then suspended after strong diplomatic response from New Delhi. The controversy had stemmed from PM Modi’s post on X following his visit to Lakshadweep, which the ministers interpreted as an attempt to promote the Union territory as a rival tourist destination to the Maldives.
PM Modi and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu held talks on Friday to mend bilateral ties , which had been strained following the 2023 "India Out" campaign and a diplomatic dispute triggered by derogatory remarks made against PM Modi by Maldivian officials the following year.
#WATCH | Malé, Maldives: "...For us it is always friendship first," says PM Narendra Modi as he speaks on India-Maldives ties.
— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2025
(Video: ANI/DD) pic.twitter.com/UnrxZ4gpfN
The two leaders also discussed cooperation in trade, defence and infrastructure. India also announced handing-over of 72 vehicles and other equipment to the Maldivian defence ministry.
In his address, PM Modi said, "This year, India and Maldives are also celebrating 60 years of their diplomatic relations. But the roots of our relations are older than history and as deep as the sea. The commemorative stamps released today display traditional boats of both nations. This reflects that we are not just neighbours but also co-passenegrs."
How the ties were mended?
New Delhi's consistent diplomatic outreach and economic support to the Maldives played a crucial role in restoring ties. PM Modi's visit to the island nation comes as a part of this effort.
PM Modi's visit for Maldives came bearing several economic benefits for the country including a free trade agreement, a credit of 565 million dollars, 72 heavy vehicles to its defence ministry, 3,300 social housing units among others:
Here's a list:
- Extension of Line of Credit (LoC) of 565 million dollars to Maldives
- Reduction of annual debt repayment obligations of Maldives on Gol-funded LoCs
- Launch of India-Maldives free trade agreement (IMFTA) negotiations
- Joint issuance of commemorative stamp on 60th anniversary of establishment of India-Maldives diplomatic relations
- Handing over of 3,300 social housing units in Hulhumale under India's buyers' credit facilities
- Inauguration of roads and drainage system project in Addu city
- Inauguration of 6 high impact community development projects in Maldives
- Handing-over of 72 vehicles and other equipment
How the ties soured?
India and Maldives have seen a tumultuous relationship, especially after the "India Out" campaign and diplomatic dispute over derogatory remarks against PM Modi.
Muizzu, widely seen as pro-China, rose to power in the island nation in November 2023 after leading an "India Out" campaign. However, he had later denied any such agenda, asserting that the island nation had a “serious problem” with the presence of foreign military on its soil.
In the initial months of his presidency, Muizzu's policies led to a sharp deterioration in bilateral ties. Just hours after taking oath, he called for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the Maldives. In response, India replaced them with civilian staff.
The Indian personnel had been stationed there to operate and maintain two helicopters and an aircraft used primarily for humanitarian assistance and rescue missions.
The ties hit rock bottom, when in 2024, several deputy ministers in the Maldives’ youth ministry posted derogatory comments about PM Modi on social media. The officials were then suspended after strong diplomatic response from New Delhi. The controversy had stemmed from PM Modi’s post on X following his visit to Lakshadweep, which the ministers interpreted as an attempt to promote the Union territory as a rival tourist destination to the Maldives.
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