In a significant diplomatic development, India and the Maldives have announced the establishment of a core group to strengthen their partnership. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and newly-elected Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu engaged in a productive meeting during the COP28 World Climate Action Summit, discussing various avenues to enhance bilateral friendship.
The core group, aimed at deepening cooperation across diverse sectors, was a key outcome of the meeting between the two leaders. PM Modi expressed anticipation for collaborative efforts to benefit both nations, stating, “President @MMuizzu and I had a productive meeting today. We look forward to working together to deepen cooperation for the benefit of our people.”
The discussions encompassed economic relations, development cooperation, and people-to-people ties. Despite the pro-China rhetoric of President Muizzu’s party, observers speculate a more nuanced foreign policy considering the country’s precarious economy and impending debt repayments.
President Muizzu’s victory in September marked a shift, defeating the India-friendly incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. The leaders reviewed bilateral relations, people-to-people linkages, development cooperation, economic relations, climate change, and sports during the meeting.
The decision to establish the core group follows President Muizzu’s recent request for India to withdraw 77 military personnel and a review of over 100 bilateral agreements. Maldives, a key maritime neighbor in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), holds strategic importance for India’s ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region’ (SAGAR) vision and the Neighbourhood First Policy.
Despite the previous administration’s close ties with China, President Muizzu, a British-educated civil engineer, may adopt a more balanced foreign policy given the economic challenges faced by the country. India’s proactive assistance to Sri Lanka during its economic crisis serves as a reference point for potential collaboration.
