Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar has arrived in the Maldives and is on a three-day official visit to strengthen bilateral relations. He expressed his pleasure at arriving in the Maldives and thanked Foreign Minister Musa Zameer for the warm welcome. Jaishankar highlighted the importance of the Maldives in India’s “Neighborhood First” policy.

Tensions in India-Maldives Relations
Relations between India and the Maldives had strained after November 2023, when the Maldives’ new leader, who is seen as pro-China, took office. Despite this, Jaishankar is hopeful for meaningful discussions with the Maldivian leadership. He emphasized that the Maldives holds a significant place in India’s policy and vision for the Indian Ocean region.

Welcome from Maldivian Leadership
Musa Zameer welcomed Jaishankar and expressed hope for productive talks to strengthen the historical ties between the two countries. He mentioned that the launch of six development projects funded by India is a testament to India’s commitment to community empowerment in the Maldives.

Jaishankar’s First Official Visit
This is Jaishankar’s first official visit to the Maldives since he began his second term in June 2024. His previous visit was in January 2023. Jaishankar will meet President Muizzu and hold official talks with Musa Zameer. The visit aims to review current bilateral cooperation and explore ways to advance the partnership between the two nations.

Maldives as a Key Neighbor
The Ministry of External Affairs stated that the Maldives is a key maritime neighbor of India and plays an important role in India’s “Neighborhood First” policy and oceanic approach. The visit aims to strengthen the deep partnership between the two countries and find ways to advance bilateral relations.