As bilateral relations gradually improve, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu embarks on a five-day visit to New Delhi starting today. This marks his first official bilateral visit to India, where he will engage in high-level talks with President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and senior government officials, according to reports from IANS.

Muizzu's previous visit to India took place earlier this year when he attended the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Modi and his cabinet on June 9 at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He also met with PM Modi on the sidelines of the COP28 summit in Dubai in December 2023.

During this visit, Muizzu will travel to Mumbai and Bengaluru to meet with business leaders, seeking to attract investments into the Maldives, which has been struggling economically due to a decline in Indian tourism. The Maldives President’s Office emphasized that Muizzu is dedicated to strengthening ties with nations vital to the Maldives’ growth, focusing on a proactive foreign policy.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) highlighted the significance of Muizzu's visit, noting that it would reinforce the long-standing relationship and cooperation between India and the Maldives. The visit also aims to boost people-to-people connections and economic collaboration.

In August, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited the Maldives, marking his first trip there since starting his second term. This visit, along with Muizzu’s current trip, underscores India's commitment to its 'Neighbourhood First' and 'SAGAR' (Security and Growth for All in the Region) policies, with the Maldives being a key partner in these initiatives.