The Indian External Affairs Ministry has announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the chief guest at the 60th Independence Day celebrations in the Maldives.
Modi is expected to arrive in the Maldives on July 25 for the official ceremony and will depart on July 26.
Modi will be the first Head of State to visit the country during President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's administration. This is his third visit to the Maldives.
According to the Indian External Affairs Ministry, Modi will attend the official ceremony to mark Independence Day and also take part in bilateral talks.
Modi and Muizzu will discuss the progress of the agreement signed between the two countries in October 2024 to strengthen maritime relations.
Meanwhile, the President's Office said Modi will inaugurate several joint projects between the two countries.
Muizzu won the 2023 presidential elections through the "India Out" campaign. He initially tried to push India away and forge ties with China.
Upon returning from a state visit to China on January 13, 2024, Muizzu indirectly accused India of bullying the Maldives.
Without mentioning India, Muizzu said, "We might be a small country, but that does not give you the license to bully us."
He also accused India of influencing previous governments in the Maldives and interfering in internal affairs.
"China does not influence our internal affairs in any way," Muizzu claimed.
But his administration changed tune due to the financial situation and began to mend ties with the neighbouring giant.
India has since rolled over a loan owed by the Maldives and arranged a currency swap worth USD 800 million.
In return, the Maldives agreed to accelerate the construction of a military port in the Uthuru Thila Falhu, award the construction of a transshipment port in Laamu atoll to India and to strengthen ties in the maritime sector.
The Muizzu administration also signed the India-Maldives Vision Document, which outlines partnerships between the two countries.
