Maldives India Relations

Maldivian Airlines adds 4 new China routes as Indian tourists' number falls

Beginning January 2025, the airline will operate flights to Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Xi'an

India-Maldives interjoined by shared values of democracy: President Murmu

President Murmu noted that India is one of the top trading partners of Maldives and that there is also potential for taking forward collaboration in field of digital payments and other technologies

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu likely to visit India on October 7

This will notably be the second time that Muizzu is visiting India this year after attending the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this June

India major partner for development of education sector: Maldives minister

India remains a major partner for Maldives and also a major contributor to the development, especially in the education sector, Maldives Education, Labour & Skills Minister Ahmed Shafeeu has said. He was addressing education and skilling resources exhibition and conference DIDAC INDIA, on Wednesday. "India has been a leader in many ways, not only in the region but also globally. When we consider India's economic and technological development, as well as its contributions to education and skill development, it's important to recognize its significance," Shafeeu said at the three-event that began on September 18 here. The event is being organised by Messe Stuttgart India in collaboration with India Didactics Association (IDA). It was inaugurated by renowned spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in the presence of Shafeeu and Jacinta Allan, Premier of Victoria. Ravi Shankar said educational institutions should prioritize addressing the mental health issues of teachers, students, and

Maldives President thanks India for strengthening country's fragile economy

President Mohamed Muizzu has thanked India and China for helping strengthen the Maldives' fragile economy, highlighting the importance of the two countries in addressing the Island nation's looming debt crisis and its future development. China and India provide the most assistance in repaying the country's debt, President Muizzu said on Friday at an official function held to mark the 59th anniversary of the country's independence. "I thank the Chinese government and the Indian government on behalf of the Maldivian people for their cooperation with this effort to strengthen the economy, to assure our economic sovereignty, for the sake of the Maldivian people," Muizzu was quoted as saying by Maldivian news portal adhadhu.com. Muizzu came to power last year on an anti-India campaign plank seeking the removal of around 80 Indian military personnel operating helicopters and Dornier aircraft donated by India. China for its part has scaled up its relations with Maldives, since Muzzu, wide

Muizzu in Delhi, Maldives panel probes previous govt's pacts with India

Despite recent diplomatic gestures, India-Maldives relations remain tense as the Maldives reviews three agreements with India, citing sovereignty concerns

Muizzu's 1st India visit focused on boosting bilateral ties, says Maldives

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation with India on his first official visit to the country, the foreign ministry said here on Tuesday. Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, was in India for the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Council of Ministers. Modi was sworn in as prime minister on Sunday for a record-equalling third term, heading the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government. Top leaders from India's neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean region, including Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Mauritius President Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, attended the ceremony. Muizzu concluded his official visit and arrived back in Male on Tuesday morning, according to the Foreign Ministry here. "The President travelled to India at the invitation of Prime Minister His Excellency Narendra Modi, to attend the swearing

Maldives President Mohammad Muizzu invited to Modi's swearing-in ceremony

The invitation to Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu was sent a day after he congratulated Modi on the BJP-led NDA victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections

Why Israel is asking its people to 'explore' Lakshadweep and ditch Maldives

The Embassy of Israel has adopted a unique strategy in response to the Maldives' ban on Israeli passport holders by promoting tourism in India as an alternative destination

Maldives says it cannot fly three aircraft donated by India. Here's why

The move comes after Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, a pro-China leader, insisted on the withdrawal of Indian military personnel by May 10

'True gesture of goodwill': Maldives thanks India for $50 million support

India-Maldives ties: The decision on extending the support was made by the Centre following a request made by Zameer during his official bilateral visit to India last week

Development of India-Maldives ties based on mutual interests: Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday conveyed to his Maldivian counterpart Moosa Zameer that the development of India-Maldives ties is based on "mutual interests" and "reciprocal sensitivity". Jaishankar's remarks came amid a downturn in the bilateral ties between the two countries since pro-China president Mohamed Muizzu assumed office six months back. "As close and proximate neighbours, the development of our ties is obviously based on mutual interests and reciprocal sensitivity," the external affairs minister said in his opening remarks in his meeting with Zameer here. "As far as India is concerned, these are articulated in terms of our Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR (Security and Growth for all in the Region) vision. I hope that our meeting today will enable us to strengthen the convergence of our perspectives in various domains," Jaishankar said. The relations between the two countries came under severe strain in view of Muizzu insisting on withdrawal of ..

Maldives' Prez Muizzu secures 'supermajority' in parliamentary elections

Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu's party secured a "supermajority" in Parliament by winning over 60 seats in Sunday's crucial parliamentary election, seen as a litmus test for the pro-Beijing politician whose policies are being closely watched by both India and China amidst regional power dynamics. According to information released by the Elections Commission (EC), 207,693 people cast their ballots as of 5:00 pm local time, making for a voter turnout of 72.96 per cent. This includes 104,826 men and 102,867 women. A total of 284,663 people were eligible to vote to elect lawmakers for 93 constituencies in the 20th People's Majlis. A total of 368 candidates were in the fray, including 130 independent candidates, 10 candidates from Jumhoory Party (JP), 39 from The Democrats, Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) 4, Adhaalath Party (AP) 4, and Maldives National Party (MNP) 2 nominees. According to a sun.mv news portal report, PNC contested for 90 constituencies, while main opposition ...

Muizzu gets a supermajority in Maldives: What does it mean for India?

Maldives feels the pinch as Indians shun the islands. What do numbers say?

Nationalism, coupled with cheaper alternatives and ease of visa access to countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia, is driving Indian tourism away from the Maldives

Second batch of Indian military personnel leave Maldives: President Muizzu

The second group of Indian military personnel operating a helicopter has left the Maldives on April 9 under a bilateral agreement with India, President Mohamed Muizzu has announced. Muizzu announced this on Friday while speaking during a campaign event for ruling party candidates ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for later this month. "The first team has already gone. Now, on April 9, the soldiers on the second platform have also been withdrawn," Muizzu was quoted as saying by the local media. The agreement between Maldives and India is to replace the Indian military personnel stationed in Maldives to oversee the operations of the military aircraft the country has gifted with trained civilians also from India. Muizzu, a pro-China leader, added that the Indian soldiers on the last platform would also leave the Maldives before May 10 and that would mark the fulfillment of his pledge to remove Indian soldiers from the island nation. "There is only one platform left. As t

Maldives in discussion with India to pay in local currency for imports: Min

The Maldives is currently discussing with India if the island nation can make payments for its imports from the country in Maldivian Rufiyaa, a senior minister has said. A similar arrangement is also being worked out for imports of goods from China, Minister for Economic Development Mohamed Saeed said and noted that annually, Maldives imports goods worth USD 780 million and USD 720 million from India and China respectively. According to the news portal Edition.mv, Saeed was speaking at an event held on the island of Maavah during President Mohamed Muizzu's visit to Laamu Atoll ahead of parliamentary elections on April 21. He stated that if the ruling party were able to secure a majority in Parliament, they would be able to bring the dollar rate back down to official market values within approximately two years. Saeed said his party was now getting all signals that there was a possibility to make non-dollar payments for all of these massive import arrangements. International trade

Maldives still considers India as a friend: Minister Mohamed Saeed

The Maldives still considers India a friend, the tourism-dependent country's economic minister has said while defending President Mohamed Muizzu's stand against the presence of "foreign soldiers" in the archipelago nation in the Indian Ocean. Within hours of taking oath last November, Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, asked India to withdraw its 88 military personnel from the country, saying their presence was a threat to Maldives' sovereignty. During an interview with Turkey-based news outlet TRT World on Wednesday, Maldives' Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed was asked whether Male can be friends with both China and India, to which he responded that Maldives is a friend of all countries, not just the two. I think the Maldives is a friend of all the countries, not only two countries. We are a tourist country and open to the world. As a holiday destination, we are appreciated by both Chinese and Indians. As far as trade is concerned, both markets are important to the Maldives,

Amid strained ties, Maldives Prez Muizzu seeks debt relief from India

Recently, Maldives Tourism Ministry data showed that the number of Indian tourists visiting the Maldives has dropped by 33 per cent as compared to last year

Centre's projects in Maldives gain pace, despite strained security ties

New Delhi has spent nearly Rs 7.71 billion ($93 million), or almost twice its budgeted 4 billion on projects in the Maldives during this fiscal year, which ends in March, according to an official