Delhi-Malé ties are shaped by geography and mutual trust

Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi is on his first State visit to the Maldives, at a time when Mohamed Muizzu is the president of the island-nation. This trip comes at a pivotal moment for India-Maldives relations. This is more than a ceremonial visit. It presents an opportunity to recalibrate a relationship that is as old as our shared seas and as vital as ever for the future of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The complex duality of the Maldives also needs to be appreciated: A small State with considerable diplomatic significance; a society deeply proud of its sovereignty, yet deeply reliant on its partnerships; a country with vibrant political debates that can sometimes distort its long-term strategic interests. Amid these realities, one constant has been India’s quiet, consistent, and committed support.

- Dnyaneshwar Mulay

India and the Maldives share a civilisational connection dating back centuries. Barely 45 minutes by air, our maritime linkages brought trade, language, culture, and religion across the Indian Ocean. These deep-rooted people-to-people ties were echoed by PM Narendra Modi during his 2019 address to the Maldivian parliament: “Relations between India and Maldives are older than history... the waves of the vast seas connecting us have been the messengers of friendship between our peoples.” This enduring closeness has in the past decades translated into strategic cooperation. India’s swift military intervention during the 1988 coup attempt-Operation Cactus-remains a landmark of regional security cooperation. Similarly, whether during the 2004 tsunami or the 2014 Malé water crisis, India has consistently acted as the Maldives’ first responder in times of need.

This solidarity was reaffirmed during the Covid-19 pandemic. India’s Vaccine Maitri initiative provided 200,000 vaccine doses to the Maldives early in the global rollout. Under Operation Sanjeevani, India delivered 6.2 tonnes of medical supplies, including essential medicines and protective equipment, when supply chains were disrupted worldwide. Such gestures were diplomatic signals of trust. As then Maldives foreign minister Abdulla Shahid said: “India has always been a friend in need... be it a terrorist coup attempt, natural disasters, or a pandemic.” This sentiment is echoed in India’s broader development support, which includes budgetary assistance, infrastructure grants, and concessional financing under a $L4 billion package announced in 2018.