Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Malé, the capital of Maldives, on Friday for a two-day visit. He has been invited as the chief guest for the Maldives’ 60th Independence Day celebrations.
This invitation shows how important India is to the island nation. Just two years ago, the current Maldives President Mohammed Muizzu came to power with an India-out campaign, which made many believe that relations between the two countries would weaken. But that has not happened.
India used its soft power and strong diplomacy to rebuild and strengthen its ties with the Maldives.
As a result, PM Modi is now the first foreign leader to be welcomed in the Maldives on a State Visit under President Muizzu.
India has also supported the Maldives with over USD 400 million in emergency financial aid Rs 3,000 crore in currency swaps and 13 new agreements to improve ferry services in the country.
Trade and investment between the two countries has reached over USD 548 million. Under a special agreement, India is also training officers of the Maldivian Coast Guard and Defence Force at its defence academies.
This visit marks a major improvement in India-Maldives relations.
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