MALE, Maldives – Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a remarkably grand welcome on the first day of his visit to Maldives on Friday, July 25, 2025. The ceremonial reception included a 21-gun salute, a Guard of Honor at Republic Square, and a vibrant display of children dancing as Modi met with Maldivian ministers and officials. A giant photo of PM Modi was also prominently displayed on the Ministry of Defence building in the Maldivian capital, Male.
These elaborate gestures underscore a significant turnaround in diplomatic ties between India and the Maldives, especially given that Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu had adopted a much less welcoming stance toward India when he was elected to office in late 2023. Muizzu came to power on the back of an “India Out” campaign and subsequently sought closer ties with China. The relationship further deteriorated when some members of his government made derogatory remarks against India and PM Modi, leading to a widespread boycott of the Maldives by Indian tourists and calls to promote Indian islands like Lakshadweep as alternative travel destinations. India was also asked to withdraw its military personnel from the island nation.
However, a conscious decision by both countries to reconcile and restart diplomatic dialogue in 2024 has led to the current warming of relations.
Here is a timeline illustrating the turnaround in India-Maldives diplomatic ties since 2023:
- November 2023: Mohamed Muizzu is elected as Maldivian President, having campaigned on an ‘India Out’ platform. Breaking tradition, his first foreign visit is to Turkey in December 2023, instead of India.
- December 2023: On the sidelines of the COP-28 Summit in the UAE, Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Mohamed Muizzu on December 1, 2023, and congratulates him on his assumption of office, initiating early diplomatic engagement despite previous tensions.
- January 2024: Mohamed Muizzu visits China, signalling an intent to reduce dependency on India. Simultaneously, three deputy ministers in Muizzu’s cabinet make derogatory remarks about PM Modi and India. Although they are suspended by the Maldivian government, their comments spark a significant backlash and boycott campaign in India, leading to a sharp decline in Indian tourist arrivals.
- January 2024: India-Maldives ties are further strained after PM Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep, which was mocked by some Maldivian lawmakers.
- May 2024: India withdraws its troops from Maldives by the May 10 deadline set by Muizzu, replacing them with civilian technical personnel from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to operate aviation platforms gifted by India. On May 9, 2024, Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer visits India and meets his Indian counterpart S. Jaishankar, indicating efforts to re-engage.
- June 2024: Mohamed Muizzu attends PM Modi’s oath-taking ceremony on June 9 in New Delhi, marking his presence at a significant event in India and suggesting a willingness to reset relations.
- August 2024: Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar makes an official visit to Male from August 9-11, 2024. During this visit, Muizzu appreciates India’s continued developmental assistance, and both countries enhance bilateral and defense ties, signing several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).
- October 2024: Mohamed Muizzu undertakes his first bilateral visit to India from October 6-10. He receives a ceremonial welcome from President Droupadi Murmu and PM Modi. Economic ties are boosted with the inauguration of a new runway at Maldives’ Hanimadhoo International Airport (built with Indian assistance) and the official launch of the RuPay card in Maldives. India also agrees to provide over ₹6,300 crore in financial support to help Maldives manage a foreign exchange crisis.
- July 2025: PM Modi visits Maldives as the first foreign leader to be hosted by Mohamed Muizzu’s government since his election. PM Modi emphasizes India’s role as Maldives’ closest neighbour and lauds the strengthening bilateral relations, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of Maldives’ independence and 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations.