Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in the Maldives for the 60th Independence Day celebrations.
The Prime Minister is on a visit at the invitation of President Mohamed Muizzu. The two leaders will hold official talks during the visit.
Adhadhu understands that Modi will also meet the opposition leaders - former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and former President Mohamed Nasheed. All the meetings will be held separately.
He will also attend official talks between the Maldives and India. These include discussions on the implementation of the agreement signed between the two countries in October 2024 to strengthen maritime relations.
Modi will inaugurate several joint projects, including the inauguration of the Gedhoruvriya (House Owner) flats.
Modi is the first Head of State to visit the country during Muizzu's administration. This is his third visit to the Maldives.
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.
