Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, during his first official state visit to India, has reiterated that his country would never take actions that undermine India's security. Muizzu's visit comes amid concerns in India about the Maldives' growing relationship with China. However, the president emphasized that while the Maldives seeks to strengthen ties with other countries, India remains a crucial partner.
"Maldives would never do anything that undermines the security of India. India is a valued partner and friend of the Maldives, and our relationship is built on mutual respect and shared interests," Muizzu said in an exclusive interview with The Times of India.
This visit marks Muizzu's second trip to India, following his participation in Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony in June this year.
The Maldives-India relationship had been strained due to the previous government's decision to expel Indian military personnel and contentious remarks by Maldivian ministers regarding Modi. Muizzu’s latest visit aims to mend these diplomatic rifts and reinforce the bilateral partnership.
Commitment to Regional Security
In his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Muizzu reiterated the Maldives' dedication to maintaining regional stability and security, particularly in the Indian Ocean. "While we enhance our cooperation with other countries in various sectors, we remain committed to ensuring that our actions do not compromise the security and stability of our region," he told TOI.
Muizzu underscored that defence cooperation with India would always be a priority, particularly in light of the current global security environment. He added, "Maldives and India now have a better understanding of each other's priorities and concerns."
Muizzu’s statements come at a time when regional geopolitics in the Indo-Pacific are increasingly dominated by China’s growing influence. Despite his previous "India Out" campaign, which contributed to his election victory, Muizzu now emphasizes that his government’s policies are centered around national priorities and regional stability.
"What I did is what the people of Maldives asked of me. The recent changes reflect our efforts to address domestic priorities. Our review of past agreements is aimed at ensuring they align with our national interests and contribute positively to regional stability," Muizzu said, referring to the decision to remove Indian troops stationed in the Maldives.
Strengthening Economic Ties with India
Another focal point of Muizzu's visit is the strengthening of economic and developmental cooperation between the Maldives and India. India is one of the Maldives' largest trade and development partners, and the president expressed optimism that his visit would lead to further collaboration in these areas.
"India continues to be one of our largest trade and development partners. I am confident that this will be a very successful trip," Muizzu said.
One of the key projects discussed during his visit is the Greater Male Connectivity Project, a significant infrastructure initiative aimed at improving connectivity between the islands. Muizzu acknowledged the progress made on this and other critical projects, such as water and sewerage facilities for 28 islands in the archipelago. He also praised India's restructuring of the line of credit arrangement, which has facilitated smoother project execution.
"We are pleased with the progress made on several key projects and initiatives announced during External Affairs Minister Jaishankar’s visit. These projects are vital for boosting our local economy and contributing to the Maldives’ prosperity," Muizzu remarked.
China’s Role in the Region
The growing presence of China in the Maldives has sparked concerns in India, particularly regarding potential impacts on regional security. However, Muizzu has made it clear that his government's relationship with China will not come at the expense of its longstanding ties with India.
"We are confident that our engagements with other nations will not undermine India's security interests," Muizzu said in response to questions about expanding ties with China.
In 2017, the Maldives signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China, which is set to be implemented soon. This development has raised concerns about the Maldives' economic sovereignty, especially given the trade imbalance between the two nations. Addressing these concerns, Muizzu stressed, "We will continue to engage in transparent and balanced trade practices to address any concerns and uphold the economic interests of our nation."
Resetting the Maldives' Foreign Policy
President Muizzu also took the opportunity to clarify his administration's foreign policy stance, which he describes as a "Maldives First" approach. While some analysts view him as being aligned with China, Muizzu insists that his priority is safeguarding the Maldives' national interests while maintaining friendly relations with all countries, particularly its neighbors.
"My policy is a 'Maldives First' policy. For me, Maldives will always come first. But respect for our neighbors and friends is embedded in our DNA," Muizzu stated.
He acknowledged the historical and geographical significance of the Maldives' relationship with India, saying, "Indians have always been welcome in the Maldives, Indians continue to prosper in the Maldives, and be safe and happy. Indian tourists are welcome in the Maldives."
Muizzu emphasized the importance of people-to-people connections, which have been a cornerstone of the Maldives-India relationship for decades.
(With inputs from TOI)
"Maldives would never do anything that undermines the security of India. India is a valued partner and friend of the Maldives, and our relationship is built on mutual respect and shared interests," Muizzu said in an exclusive interview with The Times of India.
This visit marks Muizzu's second trip to India, following his participation in Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony in June this year.
The Maldives-India relationship had been strained due to the previous government's decision to expel Indian military personnel and contentious remarks by Maldivian ministers regarding Modi. Muizzu’s latest visit aims to mend these diplomatic rifts and reinforce the bilateral partnership.
Commitment to Regional Security
In his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Muizzu reiterated the Maldives' dedication to maintaining regional stability and security, particularly in the Indian Ocean. "While we enhance our cooperation with other countries in various sectors, we remain committed to ensuring that our actions do not compromise the security and stability of our region," he told TOI.
Muizzu underscored that defence cooperation with India would always be a priority, particularly in light of the current global security environment. He added, "Maldives and India now have a better understanding of each other's priorities and concerns."
Muizzu’s statements come at a time when regional geopolitics in the Indo-Pacific are increasingly dominated by China’s growing influence. Despite his previous "India Out" campaign, which contributed to his election victory, Muizzu now emphasizes that his government’s policies are centered around national priorities and regional stability.
"What I did is what the people of Maldives asked of me. The recent changes reflect our efforts to address domestic priorities. Our review of past agreements is aimed at ensuring they align with our national interests and contribute positively to regional stability," Muizzu said, referring to the decision to remove Indian troops stationed in the Maldives.
Strengthening Economic Ties with India
Another focal point of Muizzu's visit is the strengthening of economic and developmental cooperation between the Maldives and India. India is one of the Maldives' largest trade and development partners, and the president expressed optimism that his visit would lead to further collaboration in these areas.
"India continues to be one of our largest trade and development partners. I am confident that this will be a very successful trip," Muizzu said.
One of the key projects discussed during his visit is the Greater Male Connectivity Project, a significant infrastructure initiative aimed at improving connectivity between the islands. Muizzu acknowledged the progress made on this and other critical projects, such as water and sewerage facilities for 28 islands in the archipelago. He also praised India's restructuring of the line of credit arrangement, which has facilitated smoother project execution.
"We are pleased with the progress made on several key projects and initiatives announced during External Affairs Minister Jaishankar’s visit. These projects are vital for boosting our local economy and contributing to the Maldives’ prosperity," Muizzu remarked.
China’s Role in the Region
The growing presence of China in the Maldives has sparked concerns in India, particularly regarding potential impacts on regional security. However, Muizzu has made it clear that his government's relationship with China will not come at the expense of its longstanding ties with India.
"We are confident that our engagements with other nations will not undermine India's security interests," Muizzu said in response to questions about expanding ties with China.
In 2017, the Maldives signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China, which is set to be implemented soon. This development has raised concerns about the Maldives' economic sovereignty, especially given the trade imbalance between the two nations. Addressing these concerns, Muizzu stressed, "We will continue to engage in transparent and balanced trade practices to address any concerns and uphold the economic interests of our nation."
Resetting the Maldives' Foreign Policy
President Muizzu also took the opportunity to clarify his administration's foreign policy stance, which he describes as a "Maldives First" approach. While some analysts view him as being aligned with China, Muizzu insists that his priority is safeguarding the Maldives' national interests while maintaining friendly relations with all countries, particularly its neighbors.
"My policy is a 'Maldives First' policy. For me, Maldives will always come first. But respect for our neighbors and friends is embedded in our DNA," Muizzu stated.
He acknowledged the historical and geographical significance of the Maldives' relationship with India, saying, "Indians have always been welcome in the Maldives, Indians continue to prosper in the Maldives, and be safe and happy. Indian tourists are welcome in the Maldives."
Muizzu emphasized the importance of people-to-people connections, which have been a cornerstone of the Maldives-India relationship for decades.
(With inputs from TOI)
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