• Purpose of Visit: 
  • • 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 
  • • Meetings: Met President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and Maldives Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer.
    • Other Meetings: 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.

• 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.