India’s willingness to support the Maldives through its economic woes has helped shift Male’s stance to one of cooperation, analysts say

Modi’s two-day trip, which coincided with the Maldives’ 60th Independence Day celebrations, marked his first visit since President Mohamed Muizzu took office in late 2023 following an election campaign built on a combative “India Out” platform.

Aditya Gowdara Shivamurthy, an associate fellow at the Delhi-based Observer Research Foundation’s strategic studies programme, said Modi’s visit was successful for two key reasons – to show that Indian influence remained unchallenged in the Maldives, and to aid the local government amid the country’s economic struggles.

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