Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 60th Independence Day celebrations of the Maldives on Saturday, marking a significant moment in the evolving relationship between the two neighboring countries. The event was held at Republic Square in the capital city of Male and was graced by the presence of President Mohamed Muizzu, who extended a warm welcome to Modi as the Guest of Honour.
The ceremony featured a military parade, cultural performances by school children, and traditional Maldivian artistic showcases. The grand celebration, lasting over 50 minutes, saw the attendance of the Maldives’ top political and military leadership. Modi was seated alongside President Muizzu, symbolizing a gesture of diplomatic goodwill and mutual respect.
Joining the Prime Minister were key members of his delegation, including External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. Their presence highlighted the importance India attaches to its relationship with the Maldives, particularly amid recent efforts to rebuild trust and cooperation between the two nations.
Following the event, Modi took to social media to express his appreciation, stating on X (formerly Twitter), “Deeply honoured to witness the 60th Independence Day celebrations of the Maldives. The productive talks with President Muizzu will add significant energy to our bilateral relations.”
This visit by the Indian Prime Minister is being seen as a strategic move to reaffirm India’s commitment to strengthening regional partnerships, especially in light of the recent tensions that surfaced after President Muizzu assumed office. Muizzu had led an ‘India Out’ campaign during his election campaign, which signaled a shift towards closer ties with China. However, recent developments suggest a thawing of that stance.
Diplomatic sources noted that the current visit marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing efforts to stabilize and deepen bilateral relations. President Muizzu himself visited India in October last year, shortly after assuming office. Modi’s two-day trip, which concludes today, is the first official visit by a foreign leader to the Maldives since Muizzu took power, underlining India’s significance in the archipelago nation’s foreign policy matrix.
In a press briefing after the celebrations, President Muizzu praised Modi, calling him “a wonderful person” and highlighted the historical ties between the two countries. “The Maldives and India have a very good relationship that goes back centuries. With PM Modi’s leadership, cooperation between the two governments is going to be even more prosperous in the days ahead,” he stated.
Indian officials described the discussions between the two leaders as “constructive and forward-looking.” Topics reportedly included infrastructure development, trade cooperation, defense ties, climate change collaboration, and people-to-people exchanges.
Observers believe Modi’s visit signals India’s intent to maintain its influential role in the Indian Ocean region. The Maldives, located strategically near major shipping lanes, remains a key partner in India’s neighborhood-first and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) policies.
The carefully choreographed visit and Modi’s presence at the national event are being viewed as an overture of friendship and a clear message that India values its ties with the Maldives, regardless of recent political rhetoric.
As the Maldives celebrates 60 years of independence, the moment was not just one of national pride but also of diplomatic symbolism — marking a renewed chapter in the India-Maldives relationship built on mutual respect, cooperation, and a shared vision for regional peace and prosperity.
