External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Friday, August 9, said India‘s partnership with the Maldives is based on its deep desire to work together for each other’s welfare and interests, as he emphasised that the relationship with Male was one of the cornerstones of India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy.
Jaishankar arrived in Male for a three-day official visit to reset the bilateral relationship with the Maldives, the first high-level trip from India after the archipelago nation’s pro-China president Mohamed Muizzu assumed office last year.
The visit follows a period of strained relations between the two countries earlier this year, when three Maldivian ministers and some parliamentarians made derogatory remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Tensions escalated further after the Maldives, under new President Mohamed Muizzu, reiterated its demand for the withdrawal of Indian troops from the country. As a result, the Indian military personnel were replaced by civilians.
Muizzu, known for his pro-China stance, led an ‘India out’ campaign against the then Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. Muizzu defeated the India-friendly Solih in the presidential runoff held in September.
During his election campaign, Muizzu promised to remove Indian military personnel from the Maldives, a pledge he fulfilled.
These Indian military personnel were stationed to operate and maintain two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft that New Delhi had gifted to Male.