Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu has started a four-day official visit to India. He left the Maldives on Sunday, and this is his second visit to India in the last four months, but the first one specifically focused on strengthening ties between the two countries.
From October 6 to October 10, President Muizzu will be meeting important Indian leaders. He will have discussions with India’s President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They will talk about various topics, including ways to improve the relationship between their countries, important regional issues, and global matters that affect both nations. India’s Ministry of External Affairs shared this.
During his visit, President Muizzu will also travel to Mumbai and Bengaluru. In these cities, he is expected to take part in several business events to explore new opportunities for economic cooperation between India and the Maldives. This visit is seen as a key step in strengthening the bond between the two neighboring countries.
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu’s Bilateral Visit to India
Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu is preparing for his first official bilateral visit to India, which will take place from Sunday, October 6, to October 10. This visit follows his previous trip to India in June 2024, where he attended the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Council of Ministers.
This visit holds significance as it comes at a time when the Maldives is seeing a decline in the number of Indian tourists. The Maldives, known for its beautiful islands and beaches, is a favorite travel destination for Indian tourists.
President Muizzu’s visit is expected to focus not only on strengthening political and economic ties but also on addressing the drop in tourism and exploring ways to boost travel between the two nations.
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India to Maldives Tourism
Tourism between India and the Maldives has faced a significant decline following controversial remarks by some officials in the Maldivian government. They criticized Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep in January this year, alleging that his promotion of Lakshadweep as a tourist spot was an attempt to position it as a competitor to the Maldives.
This diplomatic tension has had a direct impact on Indian tourism to the Maldives. India, which previously held the top spot in the Maldives Tourism Markets chart, has now slipped to sixth place. According to the Maldives’ Ministry of Tourism, over 50,000 fewer Indian tourists visited the Maldives over the past year, leading to an estimated financial loss of $150 million, as reported by the BBC.
The data shows that between January and August 2024, the number of Indian tourists dropped by around 40 percent, translating to about 53,990 fewer visitors compared to the same period last year. The latest figures for August alone indicate a sharp 23 percent decline in Indian tourist arrivals.
This downturn highlights the sensitive nature of international relations and how political tensions can impact tourism, one of the key sectors for both countries.
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Maldives Seeks Financial Relief Amid Debt Crisis
Ahead of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu’s visit to India, reports suggest that securing a bailout package is a key objective, as the Maldives struggles under significant debt. The country’s public debt stands at approximately $8 billion, with around $1.4 billion owed to both China and India, according to the BBC.
While no official confirmation has been made by either country, a senior Maldivian editor told the BBC that Muizzu’s priority is to secure financial assistance in the form of grants and to restructure debt repayment. The editor also mentioned that Muizzu is seeking a $400 million currency swap deal from India to help replenish the Maldives’ diminishing foreign exchange reserves.
Adding to the pressure, the Maldives faces $50 million in external debt payments due in the fourth quarter of 2024, with obligations expected to rise sharply in the coming years. According to Fitch Ratings, the country’s external debt servicing will increase to $557 million in 2025 and surpass $1 billion by 2026, including the repayment of a $500 million sukuk.
Mizzu Restoring Diplomatic Relations
Experts also view this visit as an opportunity for Muizzu to mend strained diplomatic ties with India. Following the Maldives vs Lakshadweep controversy, where Muizzu’s government criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s promotion of Lakshadweep as a tourist destination, relations between the two countries took a hit.
Muizzu had previously campaigned on an “India Out” platform and called for Indian troops to withdraw from the Maldives, which caused friction between the nations.
However, since coming to power, Muizzu has softened his stance. His government is now looking to rebuild relations, emphasizing that the Maldives will maintain a balanced regional approach and not replace Indian forces with Chinese troops, as per the statement from his office.
The Maldives remains one of India’s important maritime neighbors in the Indian Ocean, and under the previous administration, bilateral ties, especially in defense and security, saw considerable growth. Muizzu’s visit presents a critical opportunity to continue this upward trend, particularly in the wake of challenges related to tourism and political tension.
Maldives-India Bilateral Meet
Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu is set for a significant bilateral meeting with Indian leaders during his state visit to India, which follows an official invitation from Indian President Droupadi Murmu. The visit, spanning from October 6 to October 10, will focus on a range of bilateral, regional, and international issues that are of mutual interest to both nations.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, President Muizzu will hold key discussions with President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi. The talks will revolve around strengthening cooperation and enhancing the long-standing relationship between the two countries.
After his meetings in Delhi, President Muizzu will travel to Mumbai and Bengaluru, where he is expected to attend various business events aimed at boosting economic ties between India and the Maldives.
The Maldivian President’s Office confirmed that the visit is part of ongoing efforts to deepen the diplomatic and economic relationship between the two nations. “President Dr. Muizzu is scheduled to hold high-level meetings with President Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and other senior officials of the Indian government,” the statement added, highlighting that the focus will be on bilateral cooperation.
Earlier, President Muizzu had an informal meeting with Prime Minister Modi during the COP28 summit in Dubai on December 1, 2023. He also attended Modi’s swearing-in ceremony in New Delhi on June 9, 2024, underscoring the close diplomatic relations between the two leaders.
This visit is expected to further solidify ties and potentially open new avenues for collaboration in trade, security, and regional development.
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FAQs
Q.1. What is the purpose of President Mohamed Muizzu’s visit to India?
Ans. President Muizzu’s visit focuses on strengthening diplomatic ties, economic cooperation, and addressing the Maldives’ debt crisis and tourism decline.
Q.2. When is President Muizzu visiting India?
Ans. President Mohamed Muizzu’s official visit to India is scheduled from October 6 to October 10, 2024.
Q.3. Why has Indian tourism to the Maldives declined?
Ans. Indian tourism to the Maldives has dropped due to diplomatic tensions over Prime Minister Modi’s promotion of Lakshadweep as a tourist destination.
Q.4. Is Maldives seeking financial assistance from India during this visit?
Ans. Yes, reports suggest that President Muizzu aims to secure a financial bailout, including grants and a $400 million currency swap deal.
Q.5. How does this visit impact Maldives-India relations?
Ans. The visit is crucial for mending strained ties and exploring opportunities for stronger bilateral cooperation, especially in trade, security, and tourism.
