India-Maldives relations strengthened: Key MoUs, defence cooperation, new airport runway launched and more

Amid the strained ties for about a year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Maldivian president, Mohamed Muizzu on Monday held a comprehensive discussion to further strengthen the bilateral ties between two countries. The two sides discussed the issues pertaining to development partnership, energy, trade, financial linkages and defence cooperation.

During their meeting, the two leaders announced “Adoption of India-Maldives: A vision for comprehensive economic and maritime security partnership” and “refit of Maldives Coast Guard Ship Huravee by the Government of India on gratis basis.”

On the occasion, Modi and Muizzu launched Rupay card in Male and also inaugurated a new runway of Hanimaadhoo International Airport. Modi handed over 700 social housing units built under EXIM Bank’s Buyers’ credit facilities, to Muizzu.

In the presence of two leaders, the two sides signed a number of memorandum of understandings (MoUs) that include currency swapping, Rashtriya Raksha University and National College of Policing and Law Enforcement of the Maldives.

For prevention and combat of corruption, India’s Central Bureau of Investigation and Maldivian Anti-Corruption Commission signed MoU for bilateral cooperation. They also signed MoUs for judicial training and renewal of MoU in the field of sports and youth affairs.

“A partnership fulfilling shared aspirations! PM @narendramodi and President @MMuizzu held comprehensive discussions to further deepen ties on a range of areas including development partnership, energy, trade, financial linkages and defence cooperation,” India’s foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a series of posts on X.

Muizzu arrived in Delhi on October 6 on a 5-day maiden bilateral visit to India. Prior to this, he visited India in June 2024 to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers. After Delhi, Muizzu will also visit Mumbai and Bengaluru where he will be attending business events.

It should be noted that “Maldives is India's key maritime neighbor in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and holds a special place in Prime Minister's vision of ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and India’s ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’.”