Prime Minister of India, His Excellency Shri Narendra Modi, arrived in the Maldives on the morning of July 25, 2025, for a two-day official state visit at the invitation of the President of the Republic of Maldives, His Excellency Dr Mohamed Muizzu. The visit marks Prime Minister Modi’s first official trip to the Maldives since securing a third consecutive term in office and is a key diplomatic engagement in the regional calendar, reinforcing the shared commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
Upon arrival at Velana International Airport, Prime Minister Modi was warmly welcomed by President Muizzu. The ceremonial reception featured a full guard of honour and a cultural performance by students from Majeedhiyaa School. Senior officials from both the Maldivian and Indian governments were present, underscoring the strategic importance of the visit and the enduring ties between the two South Asian nations.
The visit coincides with two pivotal milestones in the history of Maldives–India relations: the 60th anniversary of the Maldives’ independence and the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Malé and New Delhi. These dual milestones offer a timely backdrop for the leaders to reaffirm a shared regional vision grounded in mutual respect, cooperation, and development.
During the course of the visit, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to hold official talks with President Muizzu. The discussions are expected to focus on enhancing bilateral cooperation across various strategic sectors, including trade, security, infrastructure, climate adaptation, and socio-economic development. Multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements will be exchanged to formalize joint initiatives that reflect both governments’ long-term priorities. A joint press statement outlining the outcomes of the high-level discussions will also be delivered by the two leaders.
In a message posted to his official account on X, Prime Minister Modi expressed his gratitude for the warm reception and noted in Dhivehi that he is confident the Maldives–India relationship will rise to “new heights” in the days ahead. He specifically thanked President Muizzu for receiving him at the airport and emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between the two nations.
“I have arrived in Malé. I am very pleased that President Muizzu was present at the airport to welcome me. I am confident that the relationship between India and the Maldives will ascend to new heights in the coming days,” Prime Minister Modi stated.
In a separate post, he acknowledged the honour of participating in the Maldives’ 60th Independence Day celebrations and recognized the milestone of six decades of diplomatic relations. “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,” he wrote.
Beyond formal state engagements, the Indian leader also took time to meet with members of the Indian community residing in Malé, many of whom had gathered at the airport to extend their welcome. He praised their role in fostering goodwill and strengthening people-to-people relations between India and the Maldives. “The citizens of India play a crucial role in advancing the friendship between India and the Maldives. I am pleased to have had the opportunity to meet with Indian citizens residing in the Maldives during this visit. I express my gratitude for the warm welcome extended,” Prime Minister Modi remarked.
The evolving diplomatic rapport between President Muizzu and the Indian political establishment has seen notable developments over recent years. President Muizzu previously visited New Delhi in June 2024 to attend Prime Minister Modi’s swearing-in ceremony, followed by a state visit in October 2024, which further reinforced high-level bilateral engagement.
As the Maldives continues to grow as a regional tourism and investment hub, India remains a key partner in areas such as infrastructure development, capacity building, and technological collaboration. This state visit not only reinforces political goodwill but also reaffirms the Maldives’ commitment to maintaining mutually beneficial international partnerships in alignment with its national development vision.
With a shared history spanning six decades and a forward-looking agenda rooted in regional collaboration, the Maldives–India relationship continues to demonstrate resilience, depth, and renewed purpose through each diplomatic exchange.
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