The story so far: Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently concluded a two-day state visit to the Maldives, signalling a reset in ties between the countries, after a period of strain following the election of President Mohamed Muizzu in November 2023. Mr. Modi was also the Guest of Honour at the country’s 60th Independence Day celebrations, held in the capital Male on July 26, 2025. Mr. Muizzu ran for Presidency on an ‘India Out’ campaign plank, and post his election, sought the removal of Indian troops from the Maldives. India replaced its military personnel with a civilian team.
The relationship between both the countries has since witnessed an improvement, seen in Mr. Muizzu’s New Delhi visit in October last year, and Mr. Modi became the first Head of State to visit the Maldives since President Muizzu assumed office.
Historically, India and Maldives have shared good ties, with India being the third country to establish diplomatic ties with the Maldives post its independence from the British in 1965. India and Sri Lanka are among the closest nations on the Asian mainland to the Maldives, which lies in the northern part of the Indian Ocean.
It was a fact reiterated by Mr. Muizzu in his address at a state banquet held to welcome Mr. Modi, where he referred to the Indian Ocean as a “living testament to the long-standing ties between the countries over centuries” and said that the shared journey of both nations, as traders and neighbours, had forged a resilient and unbreakable bond.
