During a two-day visit to the Maldives, Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged with members from various political parties, emphasizing the strong, enduring friendship between India and the Maldives. This meeting underscored the bipartisan backing for the relationship. Modi noted that shared values continue to be a guiding force in the partnership. He met with the Speaker of the Parliament, Abdul Raheem Abdulla, and former President Mohamed Nasheed. The formation of the India-Maldives Parliamentary Friendship Group was welcomed. Modi underscored the Maldives’ importance in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and Mahasagar vision. Discussions with Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef covered key areas like technology, infrastructure, energy, and climate change. Modi was in the Maldives for the 60th Independence Day celebrations, where he was the guest of honor. At a banquet, PM Modi highlighted the historical depth of the India-Maldives relationship, calling the countries neighbors, partners, and friends. President Mohamed Muizzu praised Modi’s leadership, reaffirming the strong partnership across various sectors, including security, trade, healthcare, and education. Eight key agreements were exchanged, covering finance, fisheries, digital transformation, and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
