India-Maldives Bilateral Relations - S. Jaishankar's Visit

Purpose of Visit

Objective: To strengthen bilateral relations between India and Maldives.

Visit Duration: 9 to 11 August 2024.

Significance of Visit: First official visit by an Indian Minister to Maldives after the Mohamed Muizzu government came to power in November 2023.

Background of Relations

Tensions in Relations: Relations between India and Maldives had soured due to the pro-China policies of Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu and his participation in the "India Out" campaign.

Dr. S. Jaishankar's Visit to Maldives

Meetings

• Met President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and Maldives Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer.
• Also met a delegation led by Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) President Abdulla Shahid.

Initiatives

Environmental Initiatives

Planted a tree at Lonuziara Park in Maldives, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam'" initiative and President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's 5 Million Trees Project.

Two Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Signed between India and Maldives

Training of Maldivian Civil Servants

• Objective: To train 1000 Maldivian civil servants during the period 2024-2029.
• Significance: To support capacity building of Maldivian civil servants.

Introduction of Unified Payment Interface (UPI)

• Objective: To introduce UPI, the Indian payment system, in the Maldives.
• Significance: To promote financial transactions between the two countries and facilitate digital payments.

Additional Information

India-Maldives Relations

• India's "Neighbourhood First" Policy: India's policy to strengthen relations with the Maldives, especially in the Indian Ocean Region.
• Geopolitical Location of Maldives: Maldives has an important strategic position, which is important for India in terms of maritime security.
• Projects and Assistance: India has provided financial and technical assistance for various infrastructure projects in the Maldives.