PM Modi to attend Maldives Independence Day celebrations in Male on July 26
PM Modi to attend Maldives Independence Day celebrations in Male on July 26
PM Modi embarks on a day’s visit to Male on July 25-26 for the Independence Day of the Maldives.
Reportedly ties in the neighbourhood will return into focus next week as PM visits Male on July 25-26 for the Independence Day of the Maldives.
PM Modi was expected to travel to the U.K. to sign the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with British PM Keir Starmer, but as per officials the trip, which is still being planned for July 24, has not been “finalised” and could be delayed.
India, Maldives hold talks to deepen trade and investment ties
On his arrival in Male on July 25, he will be accorded a ceremonial welcome. He will hold bilateral talks with Maldives’ President Mohamed Muizzu, who visited India in June 2024 for Modi’s swearing-in ceremony and then for a State visit in October. Among a number of development initiatives, both sides are expected to build on the launch of digital payment system UPI and mechanisms to increase tourist arrivals between both countries, officials working on the visit said.
On July 26, PM Modi has been invited as a guest to the Independence Day parade and other special ceremonies to mark 60 years of the Maldives getting independence from the British in 1965. The invitation was announced by Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel amidst his visit to India in May this year.
According to Officials India and the U.K. have also been discussing a short visit to London by Modi before he travels to Male, on July 24, to sign the FTA that was announced by him and Starmer on May 6.
However, it is understood that some technical and “legal scrubbing” is still required to be finished, and the trip may require to be put off or held after the Male visit.
The visit to the Maldives is significant as it marks PM’S first visit to the neighbouring country since the election of Muizzu in November 2023. Ties amid India and Maldives hit a rough patch over the “India Out” campaign that Muizzu had backed amidst his campaign, and the “Boycott Maldives” social media campaign that followed over criticism of Modi by Maldivian Ministers.
However, the two sides subsequently resolved issues, after India agreed to replace military personnel stationed there for aircraft management with civilian engineers. India has also increased its Lines of Credit and outlay to Maldives from ₹470 crore in 2024-25 to ₹600 crore in the latest budget, and extended a much needed currency swap facility to help Maldives with its debt repayment crisis last year.
News Edit KV Raman
