Foreign Minister Dr. Abdulla Khaleel heads to India

Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Abdulla Khaleel is in India on an official visit.

In a post on social media platform ‘X’, the foreign minister stated that this is an official visit to India.

During the trip, he is scheduled to meet with India's External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar.

He also expressed hope that this visit would further strengthen and enhance the relationship between the two countries.

The foreign minister aspires to engage in discussions regarding significant priorities and other fruitful discussions to further solidify ties for the benefit and prosperity of the people of both nations during the trip.

Upon arrival at Delhi, the Maldivian minister was received by AS (IOR) Puneet Agrawal.

Regarding the Foreign Minister's trip, Indian newspapers have reported that Maldives Foreign Minister Dr. Abdulla Khaleel arrived in India on Thursday for a three-day visit to explore ways to strengthen bilateral ties in key areas such as maritime security, trade, and investment.

Foreign Minister Khaleel’s visit to India comes approximately three months after President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's trip to India.

Indian newspapers have reported that on Friday, he will hold extensive discussions with Jaishankar and talk about all aspects of the Maldives-India relationship. India's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on ‘X’ that they are working towards a vision of a "comprehensive economic and maritime security partnership" between India and the Maldives.

Indian newspapers have reported that the Maldives is a significant neighbor for India in the Indian Ocean region. They also emphasized that overall bilateral relations, including defense and security areas, were progressing during the previous government in the Maldives. In addition to this, they have reported that after Dr. Muizzu, known for his close ties with China, assumed presidency in November 2023, relations between India and the Maldives significantly soured.

Further, they reported that within hours of taking the oath of office, he requested the removal of Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives, and subsequently, civilian personnel have replaced the Indian military personnel.

However, it was reported that during Muizzu's visit to Delhi in October 2024, he pledged to strengthen ties with India. Reports indicate that Maldives-India relations declined following Muizzu's request in April to replace 80 Indian military personnel operating in the Maldives under the "India Out" campaign after he came to power. However, newspapers have also reported that relations have been improving since last October due to robust diplomatic efforts.

During Khaleel’s three-day official visit from January 2 – 4, he is scheduled to meet with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Friday. The two ministers are expected to review bilateral relations and chart a new course for economic, maritime, and people-to-people ties.

Last September, India provided prompt financial assistance to the Maldives. To alleviate the financial constraints faced by the Maldives, India purchased a treasury bill worth USD 50 million. In addition to this, the neighboring country offered access to USD 400 million under the USD/EUR swap window and the opportunity to obtain INR 30 billion under the Indian Rupee swap window. This arrangement will remain in effect through June 2027.