New Delhi/Male:
About 8 months ago, the neighboring country Maldives had shown arrogance to India. Falling in love and fascination with China, President Mohammad Muizzu had launched Anti India Campaign. He had asked India to withdraw its soldiers from Maldives. India had withdrawn its troops from Maldives amid increased tension in relations with neighboring countries. After the Maldives Boycott by Indian celebrities, this country has suffered a huge economic blow, after which this country has come on the backfoot. Now Muizzu is circling the Indian Minister for help. First, Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Khalil visited India and asked for help. Now the Defense Minister there has come to India.

Maldives Defense Minister Mohammed Ghassan Maumoon reached New Delhi on Wednesday (January 8) and will stay in India till January 10. Today he met with Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. During this, Mohammad Ghassan Maumoon has appealed to Rajnath Singh for cooperation in the Indian Ocean.

Let us understand, did Muizzu, who is close to China, finally remember India? How the arrogant Maldives came to its knees:-

First know, what happened to Ghassan Maumoon with Rajnath Singh?
-Defence Minister Rajnath Singh talked about India’s readiness to increase defense relations with Maldives in the Indian Ocean.
Bilateral talks between the two leaders were extensive.
At the same time, both the leaders agreed to realize the joint vision of India-Maldives comprehensive economic and maritime security partnership.
-The Defense Ministry said, “During his talks with his Maldives counterpart Ghassan Maumoon, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh reiterated his strong commitment to work together to realize the joint vision of India-Maldives Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership.”
Rajnath Singh underlined India’s willingness to support Maldives in enhancing its defense capabilities. He also conveyed India’s readiness to provide defense platforms and military assets to enhance the security preparedness of Maldives.
-They also reaffirmed support to Maldives in line with India’s Neighbor First Policy and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) approach. This includes the provision of defense platforms and assets to enhance the capabilities of Maldives.

Maldives President Muizzoo decided to start India’s UPI service in his country.

-Maldives Defense Minister Maumoon praised India’s historical role as a ‘first responder’ for Maldives. He thanked New Delhi for its assistance to Male in training defense and security personnel and enhancing modern infrastructure capabilities.

How did Maldives-India relations deteriorate?
Ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious and commercial relations between India and Maldives date back to ancient times. But in 2023, when Chinese supporter Mohammad Muizzu became President, the relations between the two countries started growing apart. On 9 September 2023, Chinese supporter Mohammed Moizzu won the Maldives presidential election. As soon as he came to power, in his very first statement he reiterated the promise of removing the Indian Army from Maldives. After which there were indications that Muizzu, a supporter of China, would spoil the friendship with India.

Surprised by his first official visit to China
Muizzu surprised once again on 7 January 2024. He made an official visit to China for the first time as President. Whereas as per the unspoken tradition, the President of Maldives has been coming to India on his first official visit. Meanwhile, Maldivian ministers commented on PM Modi, which sparked controversy.

Comments were made on the pictures of PM Modi’s Lakshadweep tour
PM Modi had shared some pictures of his visit to Lakshadweep on social media on January 4, 2024. He had asked Indians to come to Lakshadweep. Three ministers of Maldives President Muizzu made objectionable comments on this post of PM. He also said objectionable things about Lakshadweep. This worsened the matter. Indians and Bollywood stars and celebrities started openly opposing Maldives. Many film stars canceled their Maldives vacation and came to Lakshadweep to spend their holidays. Maldives Boycott had a bad impact on the economy there.

Maldives President Muizzu expressed gratitude to India for financial assistance

Then gave the order to withdraw the Indian soldiers
After this, in the first week of February, Muizzu gave an ultimatum to the Indian soldiers present in Maldives to leave the country. In fact, India has donated 3 helicopters and a Dornier plane to Maldives to help in medical evacuation and maritime surveillance in the Indian Ocean. 75 Indian soldiers were deployed in Maldives for their maintenance. After the sourness in the relations between the two countries, India called them back in the second phase.

Then how did Maldives come to its knees?
Actually, the economy of Maldives, with a population of 5 lakh, depends on tourism. 70% of the jobs here are generated from the tourism sector. Of this, 14% to 20% of the income comes from India. Every year about 20 lakh people visit Maldives. Among these, the number of tourists going from India is highest.

Maldives Boycott in India has had a direct impact on its economy. The back of the economy is broken. Which cannot be compensated. Sooner or later Maldives realized that it could not survive without India.

Muizzu visited India in October 2024
Maldives President Mohammed Muizzu has also understood the importance of his neighboring country India very well. Perhaps that is why in October 2024 he tried to heal the rift in relationships. Then Muizzju came on a 5-day state visit with his wife.

Before his visit to India, he wrote on Instagram – “I thank the Government of India and especially Prime Minister Narendra Modi for always helping Maldives.”

India gave 400 million dollars aid to Maldives, consensus reached on these important issues in bilateral talks

Muizzu thanked India for the currency swap agreement of 400 million US dollars and assistance of Rs 3000 crore. India has given treasury bill rollover of US $ 100 million to Maldives. After which Muizzu said that Maldives is ready to welcome more Indian tourists.

When did India help Maldives?
-India has stood with its neighbor in every difficult time. On 3 November 1988, Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was visiting India. During this time, some people there rebelled with the help of the Tamil rebel organization People’s Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

-LTTE had captured government buildings. After which Maldives President Gayoom Saif immediately sought help from Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Rajiv Gandhi had sent army to save the government of Maldives. It was named ‘Operation Cactus’.

India has always stood with us: Maldives Foreign Minister to S Jaishankar

After this, there was a drinking water crisis after the tsunami that hit Maldives on 26 December 2004. India had helped even then. India was the first country in the world to transport supplies by plane.

-Maldives were hit hard by the storm in July 2007. Even then India had come forward and wiped the tears of its neighbour.

-Tourism had come to a standstill there during the Corona epidemic. The economy had stagnated. Then, on the request of the then President Ibrahim Mohammad Soleh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had provided financial help to that country.

Water and sewerage projects have been completed on 28 islands in Maldives. Work is also going on on 6 more islands. This project will provide facility of drinking clean water to 30 thousand people.

How much will India fill the empty bag of Maldives, how much has President Mohammad Muizzu’s tone changed