Male, Maldives— On Friday, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu hosted an official dinner for Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Male. During the dinner, President Muizzu praised PM Modi’s leadership and reaffirmed the strong ties between India and the Maldives. The two leaders also put out stamps to honor the 60 years of diplomatic relations between their two countries.
“India has long been the Maldives’s closest and most trusted partner,” President Muizzu said during the banquet. He talked about the many ways that people work together, saying that “it touches the everyday lives of our citizens” in sectors including security, trade, healthcare, education, and more.
Muizzu talked about the strong links between people, saying, “Every day, hundreds of Maldivians go to India for medical care, education, and business. We also welcome members of the Indian diaspora who continue to make important contributions to our economy and society.”
A Future Vision with India’s Help
President Muizzu made it plain what he wanted to do with his government’s development agenda: “to build a resilient, inclusive, and forward-looking economy that is vibrant to empower our youth, to thrive in the digital age, and to ensure lasting peace and security in our shared region.” India’s assistance is still very important in reaching these aims.
President Muizzu’s letter of congratulations to Prime Minister Modi on a major leadership milestone was a high point of the evening. “First of all, let me send my warmest congratulations to Your Excellency on becoming the second longest-serving Prime Minister of India today,” Muizzu said. He praised Modi for “4,078 consecutive days in office,” which he called “a testament to your unwavering commitment to public service and dedication to the progress and prosperity of the Indian people.”
Celebrating 60 Years of Strong Connections
Muizzu said, “This year marks 60 years of diplomatic relations between the Maldives and India. This is a milestone that shows not only our shared history but also the strength and depth of our partnership.” He stressed that the relationship between the two countries goes back before they had official diplomatic connections. “For hundreds of years, the Indian Ocean has been a witness to our shared adventure. For hundreds of years, traders, travelers, and neighbors traded commodities, tales, and ideas over these seas. We are all connected by the same ocean, and no tide can break those bonds.
Muizzu ended by saying, “This evening I reaffirm the Maldives’ steadfast commitment to preserve and strengthen the special bond between our two nations and our people.” “The government and people of the Maldives respect India’s friendship very much and are very grateful for the help your country has given us when we needed it. As neighbors and partners, let’s keep looking for new ways to work together that will help our people achieve their goals, uphold our shared values, and promote prosperity.
Commemorative stamps are a sign of maritime history.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Mohamed Muizzu presented stamps to honor the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and the Maldives. These stamps show how serious both countries are about their relationship.
The stamps show the Indian boat Uru, a giant wooden dhow made by hand in the old boatyards in Beypore, Kerala, and the traditional Maldivian fishing boat, the Vadhu Dhoni. Both kinds of vessels have been important for trading in the Indian Ocean for hundreds of years. The Vadhu Dhoni, which is used for fishing on reefs and along the shore, represents the Maldives’ rich nautical history and its connection to the water.
India was one of the first countries to open diplomatic relations with the Maldives after it became independent in 1965. These commemorative stamps are a strong symbol of the long and close ties between the two countries.
PM Modi wrote on X, “Commemorating a very cherished friendship!” We made a stamp to celebrate 60 years of friendship between India and the Maldives. As time goes on, our ties are getting stronger, which is good for the people of both of our countries.
President Muizzu invited Prime Minister Modi to the Maldives for two days. During their meeting, they talked about many agreements that would improve commerce, agricultural, health, and social welfare cooperation. This gave the South Asian country’s development journey a new boost.