Nasheed congratulates on restoring Maldives-India ties
The bilateral relationship had suffered in recent years, primarily due to the Maldives' controversial 'India Out' campaign, which had strained diplomatic ties.
Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed has extended his congratulations to current President Mohamed Muizzu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the restoration of diplomatic ties between the Maldives and India.
His remarks come on the occasion of President Muizzu's first official visit to India, marking a significant shift in the bilateral relationship between the two nations.
Nasheed, known for his strong pro-India stance throughout his political career, took to the social media platform 'X' (formerly Twitter) to express his approval of the improving relations.
He emphasized the deep-rooted connection between the two neighboring countries, citing shared cultural, historical, and geographical ties.
"We [the two countries] should always remain friends. I am very happy that everything is settled and relations are improving. Welcome to Prime Minister Modi and President Muizzu," Nasheed wrote in his post.
His message highlights the commonalities between India and the Maldives, mentioning their intertwined culture, music, films, and history.
The bilateral relationship had suffered in recent years, primarily due to the Maldives' controversial 'India Out' campaign, which had strained diplomatic ties. This nationalist movement criticized India's growing influence in the Maldives, particularly during the tenure of Muizzu's predecessor.
The campaign gained momentum when the tradition of Maldivian presidents making their first official state visit to India was broken, as President Muizzu opted for China instead. This decision was seen as a sign of a shift in Maldives' foreign policy and contributed to the cooling of relations.
Further escalating the tensions, three Maldivian deputy ministers made derogatory remarks against India and Prime Minister Modi, further alienating New Delhi. In response, certain factions in India launched a social media campaign calling for a boycott of Maldivian tourism, leading to a significant drop in Indian tourist numbers—a key sector of the Maldivian economy.
In recent months, however, efforts have been made to restore relations between the two nations. President Muizzu’s official visit to India is seen as a critical step in this direction.
Upon arriving in India, President Muizzu met with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. His agenda also includes a meeting with Prime Minister Modi, as well as discussions with Indian President Droupadi Murmu and other senior officials. These meetings signal a clear intention on both sides to put past tensions behind and rebuild a mutually beneficial partnership.
Nasheed’s message of support, particularly his recognition of the shared interests and deep historical ties between the two countries, reflects optimism for the future of India-Maldives relations.
As the Maldives seeks to balance its relationships with both India and China, the importance of restoring ties with India cannot be overstated, especially considering the strong cultural and economic connections between the two nations.
The world will now be watching closely to see how this renewed friendship evolves and what it means for the broader geopolitical landscape in the Indian Ocean region.
