President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration has included a mere MVR 820 in grant aid from the Netherlands in the 2026 state budget.

The figure appears in the Ministry of Finance’s table of estimated foreign grant aid submitted to the People’s Majlis this week.

According to the document, the government expects to receive a total of MVR 85 million in foreign grants next year, which is a sharp contrast to the billions projected in previous years. Of this, MVR 73.6 million is anticipated from India, the very country against which Muizzu previously spearheaded a divisive campaign while in opposition.

Despite the administration’s frequent declarations of “strong bilateral relations” with China, the 2026 budget does not list any expected grant aid from Beijing.

The decline in foreign assistance marks a significant reversal from the government’s earlier claims. In the 2025 budget, the administration projected MVR 1.8 billion in foreign grants. However, official records show that only MVR 34.4 million, less than two percent of that estimate, was actually received.

Observers and economic experts attribute the steep drop in international grant inflows to what they describe as the Muizzu government’s weak economic strategy, inconsistent foreign policy, and widespread concerns over corruption and governance.

When President Dr. Muizzu assumed office, he assured the public that all necessary foreign aid had already been secured and that there was “nothing to worry about.” The latest budget projections, however, reveal a starkly different reality, one that underscores the government’s growing struggles to attract international confidence and financial support.