The visit of Maldives foreign minister Moosa Zameer to India amid shifting alliances and strained relations holds significant geopolitical implications against the backdrop of the Indian elections. Talks are anticipated to encompass forthcoming visits, debt relief, and defense collaboration, reflecting the evolving dynamics between the two nations.
The Maldivian foreign minister, Moosa Zameer, is scheduled to go for his first significant bilateral visit to India following the power shift in Malé, which took place six months ago.
Although Zameer’s visit has been confirmed to India, the exact dates are still pending.This visit marks the first significant bilateral engagement for both sides since Mohamed Muizzu assumed office as president last November following his victory over incumbent Ibrahim Solih in the presidential polls.
During his election campaign, Muizzu advocated the opposition’s ‘India Out’ agenda, which called for the withdrawal of Indian troops stationed in the Maldives, accusing Solih of compromising the nation’s sovereignty.
Both the Solih administration and India have maintained that Indian soldiers in the Maldives are involved in operating three aircraft provided by New Delhi for humanitarian purposes.
Tensions surfaced further when Muizzu chose to visit China in early January, marking a departure from the customary sequence of visiting India first.
Friction spilled onto social media when Indian celebrities called for a boycott of the Maldives as a tourist destination following disparaging remarks about Modi made by three Maldivian deputy ministers. Subsequently, these ministers were suspended by the Maldivian government.
Additionally, the Maldives informed India of its intention to withdraw from a hydrography agreement.
In response, India announced an increase in the quota of essential commodities to the Maldives last month, notwithstanding Muizzu’s public call for diversification of imported goods sources.
It is anticipated that the Maldivian foreign minister will raise concerns regarding servicing the country’s debt to India, given the significant foreign debt burden facing the Maldivian economy. This issue was previously discussed by President Muizzu with Modi last year.
