Outlook Business Desk
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached the Maldives on Thursday after wrapping up the UK leg of his two-nation tour. Invited by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, Modi’s two-day state visit aims to boost strategic, economic and regional cooperation with the island nation.
Modi arrived at Velana International Airport around 9:40 AM IST. He has been invited as the guest of honour for the Maldives’ 60th Independence Day celebrations on 26 July—a symbolic gesture under President Muizzu’s leadership.
"The prime minister's state visit also happens to be the first state visit of a head of government that President Muizzu is hosting in his presidency since he assumed the office in November 2023," India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said earlier this week.
The Maldives is a vital partner in India’s Neighbourhood First policy and the MAHASAGAR vision—Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions—highlighting its regional importance, Misri added.
During his Maldives visit, Modi will hold wide-ranging talks with President Mohamed Muizzu. He is also set to inaugurate multiple India-assisted development projects, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.
According to Misri, the India-Maldives Joint Vision for a Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership, finalised last year, remains central—and key developments under this framework are expected during the visit.
G Balasubramanian, the High Commissioner of India to the Maldives, said several Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) will be signed during PM Modi’s visit, further deepening collaboration between the two nations.
“We will have bilateral meetings between the Prime Minister and President at the Presidency, followed by the signing of various MOUs and inauguration or handover of projects supported by India... The next day includes more meetings and the Maldives’ Independence Day celebrations, where our Prime Minister will be the guest of honour, after which the visit will conclude,” he said.
The Prime Minister's visit is seen as a key move to mend India-Maldives relations, which were strained after President Mohamed Muizzu—seen as Pro-China—assumed office in November 2023.