S Jaishankar calls for deeper India-Maldives ties, says Mohammed Muizzu’s country is not just an ordinary neighbour

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is on a three-day official visit to the Maldives amid diplomatic tensions, emphasised the need for a strong India-Maldives relationship, stating that the archipelago nation is not an ‘ordinary neighbour’ to India.

The External Affairs Minister, who met with Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu on Saturday, said that it is necessary to deepen bilateral ties for the benefit of the people of both countries.

“We say ‘Neighbourhood First’ today under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We give a lot of attention to the countries of the Indian Ocean. We have a policy called SAGAR. But I do want to say that Maldives is not just an ordinary neighbour,” Jaishankar said.

India-Maldives ties soured recently after Muizzu, who is considered a pro-China leader, came to power. Relations worsened in January this year after Maldivian officials, including a minister, made derogatory comments about Prime Minister Modi following his sharing of pictures of Lakshadweep, which sparked comparisons with the Maldives.

Muizzu’s order to withdraw Indian troops from the country also led to diplomatic tensions.

Jaishankar’s visit, the first high-level trip to the Maldives after Muizzu took office in November last year, is seen as an effort to reset the bilateral relationship.

Upon his meeting with Muizzu, Jaishankar noted, “So when we speak about the relationship, to understand that relationships like between two people, countries, the minds and sentiments of countries are also personal. That people remember, you know when you have been with them in times of difficulty”.

He added that the relationship (with Maldives) is “a very important part. We will continue to nurture it. We will find practical ways of expressing our friendship.”

Sharing pictures with the Maldives president, Jaishankar said, “Privileged to call on President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. Conveyed greetings of PM @NarendraModi. Committed to deepening India-Maldives ties for the benefit of our people and the region”.

Muizzu thanked the Government of India and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a post on X, for “always supporting the Maldives”.

“Our enduring partnership continues to strengthen, bringing our nations closer through cooperation in security, development, and cultural exchange. Together, we build a brighter, more prosperous future for the region,” he said.

Jaishankar also inaugurated the Maldives’ largest India-funded water and sanitation project and interacted with the Indian diaspora in the archipelago nation.