Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has expressed appreciation to Bharat for its assistance in alleviating the island nation’s debt burdens and voiced hopes for a strengthened partnership, including the establishment of a free trade agreement. This sentiment was shared during his speech at the official Independence Day celebration in the Maldives on Friday.
In his address, President Muizzu praised the foreign policy achievements of his administration, highlighting eight months of what he described as ‘diplomatic success,’ according to the Maldives President Office.
Muizzu thanked both Bharat and China for their roles in easing the Maldives’ debt repayment, which he believes will bolster the country’s economic autonomy. He stressed on the importance of addressing local shortages of US dollars, revealing that his government is in talks with both New Delhi and Beijing to secure currency swap agreements.
Additionally, Muizzu announced ongoing negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United Kingdom and expressed optimism about forging a similar pact with India.
This move marks a notable shift in diplomatic relations after a period of tension between the Maldives and Bharat. The previous administration’s tenure was marked by disagreements, including Muizzu’s campaign promise of “India Out,” which sought the removal of Indian troops from the Maldives.
Since his election, Muizzu’s approach has deviated from longstanding diplomatic norms, including his decision to visit Turkey and China before India and his administration’s discontinuation of a Hydrographic Survey agreement with India.
Earlier this year, the Maldives requested the withdrawal of Indian troops, which was completed in May. The Maldives Defense Minister later confirmed that the country’s forces could manage the three aircraft donated by India.
In December, diplomatic relations were further strained by derogatory comments made by three Maldivian deputy ministers about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leading to a formal protest from New Delhi. These ministers were subsequently suspended.
Tourism data from the Maldives revealed a 33 per cent drop in Indian visitors compared to the previous year, reflecting the impact of the diplomatic tensions.
