Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed has welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to the island nation, expressing confidence that it will significantly enhance tourism from India and further reinforce the long-standing diplomatic ties between the two nations.
In an exclusive conversation with ANI ahead of PM Modi’s two-day visit for the Maldives’ 60th Independence Day celebrations, Nasheed emphasized the mutual benefits of strong bilateral relations Indian.
“When relations are strong, everyone benefits. I believe that the Prime Minister’s visit will further boost Indian tourist arrivals to the Maldives,” Nasheed said, highlighting the growing importance of regional cooperation and connectivity.
One of the key symbols of this cooperation is the Hanimaadhoo International Airport project in northern Maldives, which is being constructed with financial support from India. Nasheed noted that the airport is nearing completion and is expected to significantly enhance air connectivity between the Maldives and cities in southern India.
“Hanimaadhoo Airport will be just a little over an hour away from most southern Indian cities. This opens up major opportunities for both countries — in terms of tourism, trade, and economic exchange,” he said.
Nasheed also credited India for playing a crucial role in stabilizing the Maldivian economy during times of financial hardship. He recalled that Indian assistance helped the country avoid a potential default during a critical period.
“Nasheed Highlights Indian Role in Economic Stability and Enduring Strategic Partnership”
“If not for India, we would have gone into default,” he said, acknowledging India’s consistent support. “Indian assistance and partnership in the Maldives are deeply valued. At a time when we faced mounting financial pressures and substantial debt obligations, India’s timely help allowed us to maintain stability and avoid crisis.”
He emphasized that the India-Maldives economic partnership is built on mutual trust, regional solidarity, and a shared vision for prosperity. These foundations, he said, make the relationship resilient and vital to the region’s peace and development.
Addressing the political dimension of foreign policy in the Maldives, Nasheed admitted that electoral shifts in the past had occasionally influenced the country’s external alignments, swinging between pro-India and pro-China positions. However, he noted that the maturing of democracy in the Maldives has now brought greater policy consistency.
“We have always maintained an India-first foreign policy. But in the past, election cycles sometimes caused fluctuations in that stance. Today, thanks to a more stable democratic system, Maldivian politics is more united in its India-first approach,” he said.
Nasheed stressed that PM Modi’s visit reaffirms India’s strategic commitment to the Maldives, especially given its crucial location in the Indian Ocean and the importance of strong regional partnerships in maintaining maritime security and economic progress.
Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to visit the Maldives from July 25 to 26, at the invitation of Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. He will be the guest of honour at the country’s 60th Independence Day celebrations.
In a departure message shared on , PM Modi said, “Day after tomorrow, 25th July, I will be in the Maldives at the invitation of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. I am honoured to be taking part in the 60th Independence Day celebrations of the Maldives. This year we also mark 60 years of India-Maldives diplomatic relations. The talks with President Muizzu will certainly add momentum to bilateral ties across diverse sectors.”( Indian )
