Maldives Foreign Minister visits India to ‘deepen’ longstanding ties

Maldives Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer on Wednesday left for India on his “very ‘rst bilateral ocial visit”, the maiden high-level visit from Male since bilateral ties came under severe strain after President Mohamed Muizzu, a proChina leader, assumed of‘ce six months ago.

During his visit from May 8 to 10, Mr. Zameer will meet with Minister of External A¦airs S. Jaishankar and hold discussions on deepening and expanding the long-standing partnership between the Maldives and India, the Foreign Ministry here said in a statement.

First ocial visit

This is Foreign Minister Mr. Zameer’s ‘rst ocial visit to India since assuming oce.

“Departing to New Delhi on my very ‘rst bilateral ocial visit. Looking forward to meeting my counterpart Minister of External A¦airs, Dr. @DrSJaishankar, and discuss deepening and enhancing cooperation between #Maldives and #India for the mutual bene‘t of our peoples,” Mr. Zameer said in a post on X.

The bilateral ties came under severe strain after Mr. Muizzu insisted on the withdrawal of nearly 90 Indian military personnel operating three aviation platforms in the island nation.

India has already withdrawn most of its military personnel. Mr. Muizzu had set May 10 as the deadline for the exit of all Indian troops from his country.

On Monday, Mr. Muizzu’s spokesperson announced that 51 Indian military personnel have left the Maldives and con‘rmed that the rest would leave by May 10 as agreed by the two countries.

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