External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu participated in the official handover ceremony of water and sewerage projects across 28 islands in the Maldives on Saturday.
“It was a pleasure to meet Dr. S. Jaishankar today and join him in the official handover of water and sewerage projects in 28 islands of the Maldives,” Muizzu posted on X, sharing a photograph of the meeting.
President Muizzu expressed gratitude to the Government of India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their ongoing support. “Our enduring partnership continues to strengthen, bringing our nations closer through cooperation in security, development, and cultural exchange. Together, we build a brighter, more prosperous future for the region,” he added.
Resetting India-Maldives Relations
The meeting between President Muizzu and Minister Jaishankar took place during Jaishankar’s three-day official visit to the Maldives. The visit aims to reset and deepen the bilateral relationship following Muizzu’s rise to the presidency last year.
Muizzu, known for his pro-China stance, had previously taken steps that strained ties with India, including demanding the withdrawal of Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives. However, the latest engagements signal a concerted effort by both nations to renew and reinforce their partnership.
Acknowledging India’s Support
During the handover ceremony, President Muizzu reiterated his recognition of India’s longstanding support for the Maldives. “India has always been one of the closest allies and invaluable partners, facilitating and providing aid whenever the Maldives has needed it,” he said.
He extended deep gratitude to Prime Minister Modi, the Indian government, and the “friendly people” of India for their “generous and continued assistance” to the Maldives.
The Maldives is one of India’s key maritime neighbors in the Indian Ocean region, and overall bilateral ties, including in areas of defense and security, have seen an upward trajectory under the previous government in Male.
