New Delhi: On July 26, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated within the sixtieth Independence Day celebrations of Maldives because the chief visitor. His presence on the occasion grabbed headlines not solely in India and Maldives, however the world over.
The go to stood out for a number of causes. Maldives’ President Mohamed Muizzu had constructed his 2023 election marketing campaign across the slogan “India Out”. After coming to energy, he had despatched robust indicators distancing the nation from India. He additionally moved swiftly to forge nearer ties with China. His early months in workplace had been marked by a choice to ship again Indian army personnel stationed within the Maldives. This was seen in New Delhi as a possible pivot towards Beijing.
That very same chief has now invited the Indian prime minister as visitor of honour on the nation’s greatest official occasion. The symbolism was unmistakable. It marked a second that was intently tracked in international capitals, particularly as China continues its makes an attempt to deepen affect throughout the Indian Ocean area.
Chinese language State Media Responds
Beijing’s World Occasions, a state-run publication, printed a commentary criticising the tone of Indian media protection surrounding the go to. In line with the publication, some Indian platforms had portrayed the journey as a strategic setback for China and a diplomatic win for India.
In its evaluation, the World Occasions accused Indian media of partaking in zero-sum pondering, suggesting that any achieve for India should imply a loss for China. It cited feedback from Qian Feng, director on the Nationwide Technique Institute at Tsinghua College, who argued that the Maldives naturally prioritises relations with its neighbours but in addition pursues a diversified international coverage, together with engagement with China’s Belt and Highway Initiative. “These approaches will not be in battle,” he mentioned.
Singapore and U.S. Media Weigh In
Singapore-based Channel Information Asia headlined its protection: “India’s Modi reshapes ties with Maldives.” Their report highlighted how Modi’s go to included new infrastructure partnerships, monetary commitments and indicators of renewed heat between the 2 nations.
PM Modi inaugurated a brand new protection ministry constructing and Indian-funded initiatives and introduced financial help.
In line with Channel Information Asia, the go to was seen in New Delhi as reassurance that Maldives wouldn’t drift too far into China’s orbit. The channel highlighted how Muizzu’s early months had raised issues after he ordered the withdrawal of Indian army personnel.
The Washington Submit echoed this view. In an in depth report, the paper referred to as the two-day journey “strategically very important” and mentioned it pointed to India’s broader targets of asserting presence throughout key sea routes within the Indian Ocean. It highlighted the announcement of a $565 million line of credit score from India to fund growth initiatives. The publication mentioned the go to could mark the start of a shift towards restoring normalcy in bilateral ties.
A Look From the UK
British each day The Impartial took a broader view, framing the go to within the context of latest diplomatic turbulence. The publication emphasised that tensions had risen after the Indian authorities promoted Lakshadweep as a tourism hub, which some within the Maldives perceived as an try and redirect Indian vacationers away from their seashores. Celebrities in India had even referred to as for a boycott of Maldives as a journey vacation spot.
The report added that President Muizzu selected to go to China earlier than making a visit to India, one thing that had not gone unnoticed in New Delhi. Muizzu’s post-China announcement about decreasing dependency on India for necessities like medicines and meals additionally drew concern.
However issues started to enhance when Muizzu attended Modi’s swearing-in ceremony earlier this 12 months. That go to set the stage for a gradual warming of ties, culminating within the present journey.
A New Section for India-Maldives Relations
Pakistan’s Categorical Tribune mentioned Modi’s go to ended on a word of readability and mutual affirmation. It quoted President Muizzu calling the journey “a defining second” in relations between the 2 nations. In social media posts shared on the conclusion of the go to, Muizzu acknowledged the significance of people-to-people ties and long-term cooperation throughout sectors. In a reciprocal message, PM Modi mentioned India would stand by the folks of Maldives of their aspirations.
Germany’s Deutsche Welle (DW) offered a strategic lens on the go to. It emphasised Maldives’ vital location alongside transport lanes within the Indian Ocean. Regardless of its picture as a vacationer haven, the report described Maldives as a “geopolitical hotspot” nestled throughout 1,192 islands.
DW identified how this geography has made it a focus within the rising rivalry between India and China. Their report argued that the area is turning into much less about leisure and extra about maritime technique and political affect.
What Specialists Are Saying
In line with a commentary by Aditya Shivamurti, affiliate fellow at Observer Analysis Basis (ORF), Maldives’ coverage initially leaned strongly towards China. He defined how “India Out” had dominated discourse in 2023, and India’s presence was sharply decreased.
However by 2024, Shivamurti noticed a shift. The home financial scenario in Maldives worsened. Parliamentary dynamics modified. Chinese language guarantees failed to fulfill expectations. These developments pushed Muizzu to reassess international coverage.
The evaluation added that India responded with pragmatism. It averted escalation and centered as a substitute on diplomatic engagement and help. In return, the Maldives management started acknowledging India’s vital position in areas like well being, growth and infrastructure.
ORF’s report concluded that each nations are actually attempting to separate international coverage from home politics. Whereas the Maldivian Democratic Occasion has traditionally been seen as pro-India and the ruling PNC as leaning towards China, Muizzu appears to be moderating that binary. He has taken steps to respect India’s sensitivities, and India, in flip, has prolonged help.
As per Shivamurti’s view, the go to was greater than symbolic. It was a recalibration. It supplied not simply headlines, however indicators that pragmatism, diplomacy and shared pursuits are nonetheless potential in a area crowded by rival influences.