India-Maldives Relations: Narendra Modi was sworn in as India’s prime minister for a record third term on June 9, 2024. Thousands of people attended the magnificent celebration at Rashtrapati Bhavan, including well-known international dignitaries. Amidst recent tensions between India and the Maldives, President Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives stood out among them and captured everyone’s attention.
A Strained Relationship
The previous several months have seen tensions in ties between India and the Maldives. When Prime Minister Modi visited Lakshadweep and posted pictures of the trip on his social media network, X (previously known as Twitter), tensions started to arise. Three Maldivian politicians made offensive comments against Modi, which sparked a social media trend to “boycott Maldives” and caused uproar. The relationship was further strained when some Indians cancelled their scheduled vacations to the Maldives.
The Significance of President Muizzu’s Presence
President Muizzu attended Modi’s swearing-in ceremony despite their tense relationship, and he was subsequently spotted seated next to the Indian Prime Minister at a presidential banquet. There have been rumblings about a possible warming of ties between the two countries as a result of this peculiar seating arrangement.
The Viral Photo: A Positive Signal?
Following the event, Prime Minister Modi and all other visiting heads of state were invited to a state dinner given by the President of India. President Muizzu is seated right next to Prime Minister Modi in a picture from this ceremony that went viral on social media.
Challenges Ahead: Pro-China Stance
The future of relations between India and the Maldives is yet unknown, though. The fact that President Muizzu is often seen as pro-China complicates matters. President Muizzu recently travelled to China, where he signed a number of significant agreements. Furthermore, India cooperated with the request made by the Muizzu administration to remove its military forces from the Maldives. The relationship between India and the Maldives has become more complicated as a result of these changes.
A Glimmer of Hope
There is some optimism despite these obstacles due to the recent exchanges between President Muizzu and Prime Minister Modi. Diplomats are keeping a close eye on whether this results in a resurgence of friendship between the two nations. An further ray of hope is provided by India’s longstanding perception of the Maldives as a friendly neighbour and its willingness to assist.
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