‘Close Ally, Invaluable Partner’: Muizzu Thanks India, PM Modi For Development Projects, Aid

Mohamed Muizzu’s tenure began with a clash with the Indian government but recent remarks show Male is ready to partner with New Delhi for closer ties and Maldives’ development. (Image: Reuters)

Muizzu was speaking at a ceremony where water supply and sewerage facilities on 28 islands, made with Indian assistance, were handed over to Maldivian government.

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu on Friday called India one of its “closest allies and invaluable partners” and said New Delhi has helped the island-nation while speaking at the handover ceremony of the completed water supply and sewerage facilities on 28 islands in the Maldives.

These projects, according to a Maldivian government press release, is funded by the Indian government through a Line of Credit facility granted through EXIM Bank of India.

He said his administration remains fully committed to strengthening the historic and close connections between Male and New Delhi. He also extended his ‘deep gratitude’ to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indians for their ‘generous and continued assistance to the Maldives’.

“These initiatives would provide significant economic benefits, boost the local economies, and together contribute to the nation’s prosperity. These projects are key milestones in the Maldives’ bilateral relations with India,” Muizzu said, according to the press release.

Muizzu said that High Impact Community Development (HICD) projects under Indian grant assistance go on to show the close engagement in socioeconomic development between India and Maldives.

“Numerous revolutionary initiatives are now underway as part of this initiative, and the plan is to accelerate their delivery to communities,” he said.

“Maldivians value the deep and historic ties with the Indian people and are committed to its preservation and enhancement,” Muizzu further added, adding that he sees Maldives-India cooperation prosper and develop in the coming years.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday assured the country’s top leadership that the Maldives remains an important partner of India in maintaining peace, stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region as he concluded his visit to Male.

During his visit, Jaishankar called on President Muizzu and held wide-ranging talks with his counterpart Moosa Zameer. He also met Maldivian Defence Minister Ghassan Maumoon, the Ministers of Finance and Economic Development & Trade and the Governor of Maldives Monetary Authority.

Jaishankar’s visit highlights the importance of the Maldives, India’s maritime neighbour, as a key partner in the ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and India’s Vision ‘SAGAR’ i.e. Security and Growth for All in the Region, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement on Sunday.

“Maldives remains an important partner of India in maintaining peace, stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region. The visit reaffirmed the continued commitment of both countries to strengthening their multi-dimensional bilateral relationship and deepening their close people-to-people ties,” it said.

India’s relationship with the Maldives came under severe strain since Muizzu took charge as the President late last year. Within hours of his oath, he had demanded the withdrawal of Indian military personnel manning three aviation platforms gifted by India to the Maldives. After talks between the two countries, the Indian military personnel were replaced by civilians.