PM Modi to visit Maldives next year: External Affairs Ministry

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to make an official visit to Maldives next year and the dates will be worked out, said the Ministry of External Affairs on Monday.

The statement comes a day after Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu landed in Delhi for his first bilateral visit to India.

PM Modi meets Mohamed Muizzu

Modi met Muizzu in Delhi on Monday for extensive discussions on strengthening bilateral ties that are emerging after hitting a rocky patch last year.


The Ministry of External Affairs said during the discussion was largely focussed on bilateral relationship and expanse that is there - the developmental partnership, people to people linkages, economic and trade relationship, adding that the two countries shared an age old relationship.

The two parties made several announcements and agreements, inclduing a vision document. "On the FTA, we have an agreement on principle and will commence as soon as possible," said the MEA said.

India and Maldives also announced a currency swap agreement, which has two elements, including a $400 million facility and a Rs 30 billion facilities. Additionally, the RuPay card was launched in Maldives.

Additionally, India will undertake the repair work of Maldives Coast Guard ship gifted to the country by India to add to the capabilities of the Maldives defence force.

"On defence cooperation and the return, the whole framework is in a context where there are specific requirements and needs and the two sids have a long history to sit and decide the requirements. We have responded to the needs as projected by Maldives and that will be the approach going forward," the MEA said.

Further, there were several MoUs signed between the two countries. "Indian investment on renewable projects was invited to Maldives," the MEA said.

Muizzu in India

Earlier, Muizzu was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhawan by President Droupadi Murmu. Prime Minister Modi was also present on the occasion.

He was given a tri-services guard of honour before he drove down to Rajghat to offer his respects at the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.

This is Muizzu's first state visit to India since assuming office in November last year. He had visited Delhi in June for the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Modi's third term in office.

Strained India-Maldives ties

The ties between India and the Maldives came under severe strain since Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, took charge of the top office in November.

Muizzu won the presidential election last year on the 'India out' campaign and asked New Delhi to withdraw its military personnel posted in the archipelago nation by May this year.

The bilateral ties also hit a rocky patch when Maldivian ministers were critical of Modi. However, Muizzu has since toned down his anti-India stance and even sacked ministers who were critical of the Indian prime minister.

As the Maldives was grappling with a serious economic downturn, India has decided to extend vital budgetary support to the Maldives government with the rollover of a USD 50 million Treasury Bill for another year.