India eyes stronger engagement as Modi becomes first foreign leader to visit President Mohamed Muizzu

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has begun a two-day official visit to the Maldives, aimed at reinforcing India’s development partnership and strategic engagement with the Indian Ocean island nation amid growing regional competition with China.

Modi landed in Malé, the capital of the Maldives, on Friday morning, marking the first visit by a foreign leader to President Mohamed Muizzu since he assumed office in 2023. The visit is widely seen as a diplomatic effort to recalibrate India-Maldives relations, which have seen a shift since Muizzu campaigned on a platform that promised to end the “India First” policy in favor of a more balanced foreign policy that includes closer ties with China.

In a statement released by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, the visit was described as an opportunity to “deepen long-standing ties” and reaffirm India’s commitment to being a reliable development and security partner in the Indian Ocean Region.

Strategic and Developmental Agenda

During the visit, Prime Minister Modi is expected to hold high-level bilateral talks with President Muizzu focused on:

• Infrastructure and climate-resilient development

• Maritime security and defense cooperation

• Trade, tourism, and digital connectivity

• Capacity building and people-to-people ties

Several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed, including projects under the Greater Malé Connectivity Project (GMCP), India’s largest infrastructure project in the Maldives to date, funded by a $500 million Line of Credit and grant assistance.

Geopolitical Context: India-China Competition

The visit comes at a time when China has been expanding its footprint in the Maldives through port investments, infrastructure deals, and maritime agreements. Analysts say India is keen to counterbalance Chinese influence by reinforcing historical and cultural ties, as well as delivering timely, high-impact development assistance.

“This visit is about restoring trust and demonstrating that India remains a dependable partner that respects the Maldives’ sovereignty while supporting its development goals,” said a senior Indian official accompanying the delegation.

Reception and Public Sentiment

President Muizzu, who welcomed Modi with full state honors, said in a joint statement that he looks forward to “a new chapter of cooperation” that reflects mutual respect and shared regional aspirations.

Despite the political shifts, Maldivian public sentiment remains largely favorable toward India, especially due to New Delhi’s role in providing COVID-19 vaccines, essential supplies, and medical evacuations during past crises.

Conclusion

Prime Minister Modi’s visit signals a reset in India-Maldives relations, reaffirming India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy while navigating the evolving geopolitical landscape of the Indo-Pacific. The outcomes of this visit will likely shape the trajectory of India’s strategic influence in the Indian Ocean for years to come.

Further updates are expected as formal agreements are signed over the course of the two-day visit.