Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu assures India that he would never jeopardise India’s security interests
The first state visit of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu to India marks a milestone in the evolving diplomatic relationship between the two neighbouring countries. President Muizzu’s visit, represents not only a continuation of the historically strong India-Maldives ties but also signals a renewed commitment to fostering regional stability and cooperation. To put it in perspective, China has made inroads into Maldives much to the consternation of India. Chinese presence in its backyard is a clear security threat. But now things are looking better. President Muizzu has emphasised that while the Maldives follows a ‘Maldives First’ policy, it remains committed to ensuring that its actions would never undermine India’s security interests. The Maldives occupies a key strategic position in the Indian Ocean, making its foreign policy decisions crucial to India’s security and regional aspirations. India has long viewed the Maldives as an important ally in maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific region. This visit, following a period of political transition in the Maldives, underscores the importance of maintaining a strong bilateral relationship, especially amid concerns over the growing influence of China in the region.