Maldivian President Ibrahim Solih arrived in New Delhi on Monday for a four-day official visit at the invitation of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi. It marks his second trip to India since he took charge in 2018, following which he has repeatedly drawn domestic criticism for “selling out” to India.
A statement released by India’s Ministry of External Affairs highlights that the Maldives occupies a “special place in India’s Neighbourhood First Policy” and is a key partner in maritime strategy in the Indian Ocean Region.
Against this backdrop, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday held talks with Solih, wherein the two leaders reaffirmed their “exemplary bilateral ties.”
President @ibusolih’s visit to India demonstrates the highest importance that Maldives attaches to 🇲🇻– 🇮🇳 relationship.
— Abdulla Shahid (@abdulla_shahid) August 1, 2022
During the visit, both sides will celebrate the milestones, review existing projects, and set new targets for a stronger #MaldivesIndiaPartnership. pic.twitter.com/sj7s59ESyA
Additionally, they discussed India’s assistance for Maldivian infrastructure projects such as the Greater Malé Connectivity Project, the social housing development project, and the Addu City Police Academy. In this regard, Solih reiterated his government’s commitment to the “India First Policy.”
The two nations’ camaraderie was further exemplified through the Indian government’s decision yesterday to green-light the export of nine essential items to the Maldives— including wheat, sugar, flour, onion, rice, garlic, and dal—under a special quota provision of the India-Maldives trade pact, thus extending “full cooperation to ensure food security” on the island nation, state news agency Avas reported.
As part of this special assistance, India has permitted the Maldivian State Trading Organization to procure 7,460 metric tonnes of sugar and 12,722 metric tonnes of flour over the next three to six months. India has also extended the special quota facility until 2024, despite imposing a wheat export ban in May.
Honored to call on President @ibusolih during his visit to India.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) August 1, 2022
Our Neighbourhood First and Maldives’ India First policies are complementary. They take our special partnership forward. pic.twitter.com/AL3OAwcRIF
The Maldivian president is being accompanied by a delegation of senior government officials and businesspersons. He will also meet with PM Modi and President Droupadi Murmu today, wherein numerous memorandums of understanding (MOUs) will be exchanged. It will also represent Murmu’s first in-person interaction with a foreign head of state in her new position.
Solih’s visit to New Delhi attempts to ensure the maintenance of cordial bilateral ties after an International Yoga Day event hosted by the Indian High Commission in Male on June 21 was disrupted by a mob attack by Islamist extremists, allegedly led by former Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen. Both the governments condemned the attack “in the strongest terms” and Solih directed his cabinet to launch an investigation into the incident.
The Yoga Day attack came just weeks after controversial remarks against Prophet Muhammad by two media officials from India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata party.
In fact, anti-India sentiments have been brewing in the Maldives for a few years now, as evidenced by the recurrent #IndiaOut protests. Yameen, who held a more pro-China stance when he was in office from 2013 to 2018, and other opposition politicians and supporters have criticised Solih for “selling out” to India and alleged that India’s increased engagement with the country is a pretext to increase its military footprint. The protests have also derailed India’s plans to open a new consulate in southern Addu.
A warm welcome to a close friend and maritime neighbour!
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) August 1, 2022
President @ibusolih of Maldives arrives in New Delhi for an official visit. An opportunity to nurture the unwavering friendship between our two countries and lend further momentum to the multifaceted partnership. pic.twitter.com/KlhIfOScRD
Solih has responded by affirming his allegiance to the ‘India First’ principle and banned the #IndiaOut protests, deeming them to be a “threat to the national interests” of Maldives. The incumbent leader has described India as the Maldives’ “closest ally and trusted neighbour.”
Solih also continues to face an uphill domestic political battle against Speaker and party colleague Mohammad Nasheed, another former president who has been a vocal critic of the Solih government. The bitter row may even obstruct his prospects of re-election in 2023.
In fact, lawmakers from the ruling party are expected to submit a no-confidence motion against Nasheed this week. The rift between Solih and Nasheed was further widened after the former president’s brother was arrested for alleged homosexual acts, following which Nasheed accused Solih of having sexual relations with an underage girl.
Nevertheless, India pursued strong ties with the Maldives regardless of who is in power, as exemplified by the Indian Army’s intervention to thwart an attempted coup against then-President Abdul Gayoom in 1988 under Operation Cactus.
🇮🇳🇲🇻| India-Maldives development partnership has witnessed rapid growth in recent years and is the central pillar of our relationship. pic.twitter.com/HC7nKEZwXu
— Indian Diplomacy (@IndianDiplomacy) August 1, 2022
In recent years, India’s engagement with the Maldives has centred around countering China’s expanding influence. To this end, since 2018, India has extended $1.4 billion worth of assistance to the Maldives, alongside a $400 million line of credit along with a $100 million grant to aid infrastructure developments.
In fact, during his four-day visit, Solih will also meet with Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and tour the Bombay Stock Exchange and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust. He will also engage with industry leaders in business-to-business forums in New Delhi and Mumbai, before departing on August 4.