From ‘India out’ campaign to ‘closest ally’: Major change in Muizzu stance

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 10

In a complete turnaround in his stance, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, who stormed to power in November 2023 riding an “India out” campaign, today mentioned New Delhi as one of his nation’s closest allies and an invaluable partner that facilitated and provided aid whenever the Maldives needed it.

Muizzu said this in the presence of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is on a three-day visit to the Maldives. The event was to hand over the completed water supply and sewerage facilities on 28 islands, the schemes funded by the Indian Government’s line of credit facility through the Exim Bank of India.

This was the first visit by Jaishankar to the Maldives since Muizzu was elected to lead the island nation. The Maldivian President had exhibited an anti-India and pro-China tilt when he, in May, asked all Indian military personnel (operating three aviation platforms) to be repatriated from his country by May-end.

Muizzu today said his administration was committed to strengthening the “historic and close connections” between the two nations. He went on to extend “deep gratitude” to PM Modi, his government and the friendly people of India for their generous and continued assistance to the Maldives. Around the time he was asking Indian armed forces personnel to leave, the Maldives owed nearly $400 million (approx. Rs 3,400 crore) to India. Muizzu sought a debt relief and restructuring. At the event in Male today, he expressed “appreciation for the flexibility offered in restructuring the line of credit arrangement”.

Jaishankar said the India-Maldives development partnership was a judicious mix of grants, loans, budgetary support, capacity building and training assistance. “We are now entering a phase where many of these projects are getting realised on the ground, delivering tangible benefits to the common people,” he said.

The diverse sectors of cooperation include health, education, large infrastructure development, defence, maritime, agriculture, banking and adapting for climate resilience.

Earlier, Jaishankar had called on Muizzu and conveyed PM Modi’s greetings. He also met Economic Development and Trade Minister Mohd Saeed, Finance Minister Mohd Shafeeq and Ahmed Munawar, the Governor of the Maldives Monetary Authority.

Jaishankar described his meeting with Maldivian Defence Minister Mohd Ghassan Maumoon as “very good”. “Discussed defence and security cooperation, joint initiatives for maritime security and our shared interest in maintaining peace and stability in the region,” the EAM posted on X.

Meanwhile, the Opposition in the Maldives said Muizzu should apologise to India. Maldivian Democratic Party president and former Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid wrote on X: “The Maldivian Government, led by President Mohd Muizzu, should issue a public apology for the actions, lies and irresponsible comments against India, which have resulted in significant damage to the Maldives foreign and economic outlook.”