PM Modi Arrives In Malé For Maldives’ 60th Independence Day Celebrations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Malé on Friday, 25 July, to participate in the 60th Independence Day celebrations of the Maldives.

He was received at Velana International Airport by Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, with a traditional welcome ceremony featuring local music and chants of ‘Vande Mataram’, reflecting the strong cultural bond between the two countries.

PM Modi’s visit to the island nation marks his third official visit to the Maldives and is the first state-level visit during President Muizzu’s tenure, signalling a fresh chapter in bilateral relations.

Invited as the Guest of Honour, PM Modi will attend the central celebrations of the Maldives’ 60th Independence Day, an event that also commemorates 60 years of diplomatic relations between India and the Maldives.

This symbolic gesture highlights the mutual respect and enduring partnership shared by the two neighbours.

Strengthening Strategic Cooperation

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the two leaders will review progress under the India-Maldives Joint Vision for a Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership, first outlined during President Muizzu’s visit to India in October 2024.

The leaders will strengthen defence cooperation, enhance maritime security, advance infrastructure development, and deepen economic integration to boost regional connectivity and prosperity in the Indian Ocean Region under Vision MAHASAGAR.

India was one of the first countries to recognise Maldivian independence in 1965 and has maintained close and cordial relations ever since.

India’s swift military intervention during the 1988 coup attempt cemented its reputation as a dependable strategic partner and earned enduring trust from the Maldives.

The Maldives and India share deep-rooted ethnic, linguistic, religious, and commercial linkages, which have evolved into a strong modern-day partnership built on mutual development and regional stability.

PM Modi’s visit also coincides with renewed focus on India-funded development initiatives in the Maldives, including critical infrastructure projects, support for climate resilience, and maritime cooperation. The visit is likely to catalyse further collaborations in tourism, healthcare, and capacity-building sectors.

PM Modi’s presence at the Maldives’ milestone celebration not only reaffirms India’s Neighbourhood First approach but also strengthens strategic ties in the Indian Ocean.

As both nations look toward the future, the visit promises to deepen cooperation, foster stability, and reaffirm India’s position as a key partner in regional development.

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