President Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives has expressed his deep appreciation for India, calling it "one of the closest allies" and an "invaluable partner" in times of need.
His remarks came during a ceremony at the President’s Office, where he marked the completion of water supply and sewerage projects on 28 islands, funded through India's Line of Credit Facility via the EXIM Bank of India.
Muizzu maintained that these initiatives would yield significant economic benefits for the Maldives, contributing to local prosperity and marking a pivotal milestone in bilateral relations.
"India has always been there to facilitate and provide aid whenever the Maldives has needed it," he noted.
The Maldivian president extended heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Indian government, and the "friendly people" of India for their continuous and generous support.
He recalled his recent visit to India, where he attended Modi's swearing-in ceremony, and expressed appreciation for the opportunity to meet both Modi and President Droupadi Murmu.
Muizzu spotlighted the importance of High Impact Community Development Projects, funded by Indian Grant Assistance, in enhancing socio-economic development in the Maldives. He described numerous initiatives currently underway, asserting that the administration aims to accelerate their delivery to local communities.
He also expressed appreciation for the flexibility shown by India in restructuring the line of credit arrangements.
The president stressed the long-standing friendship, mutual respect, and kinship that have characterized the Maldives-India relationship over the centuries. "Maldivians value our deep and historic ties with the Indian people, and we are committed to preserving and enhancing this relationship," he stated.
Looking ahead, Muizzu expressed optimism about the future of Maldives-India cooperation, anticipating its growth and development in the coming years.
He thanked External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who is currently on a three-day official visit to the Maldives, for his efforts to strengthen ties between the two nations.
Jaishankar's visit marks the first high-level trip from India since Muizzu, known for his pro-China stance, took office in November 2023. Shortly after his swearing-in, Muizzu demanded the withdrawal of Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives.
The Indian military personnel were subsequently replaced by civilians, with the agreed date for the transition set for May 10.
India has long viewed the Maldives as a key maritime neighbour in the Indian Ocean region. The bilateral relationship had flourished under the previous administration, particularly in defence and security matters.
However, tensions emerged following Muizzu's election, raising concerns about the future of India-Maldives ties.
During his discussions with Muizzu, Jaishankar reaffirmed New Delhi's commitment to strengthening relations for the mutual benefit of both nations and the broader region.
EAM Jaishankar pointed out the importance of cooperation in various sectors, particularly in infrastructure development and economic growth.
In addition to the water supply and sewerage projects, the partnership has facilitated several initiatives aimed at enhancing the Maldives' socio-economic landscape.
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