Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel began a significant three-day visit to India on Sunday, marking his third trip to the country this year. His visit, accompanied by a high-level delegation, underscores the ongoing intensification of diplomatic and political engagement between India and the Maldives. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the core focus of the visit is to review the implementation of the comprehensive economic and maritime security partnership, a key bilateral agreement between the two nations.

On Monday, Foreign Minister Khaleel and India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar are scheduled to hold discussions to assess progress made under this strategic partnership. The review is part of the High-Level Core Group (HLCG) meeting — the second such meeting — aimed at overseeing the execution of the India-Maldives vision document. This document, adopted during the October 2023 meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, outlines a roadmap for collaboration in economic development and maritime security.

The MEA emphasized the strategic importance of the Maldives in India’s regional policy. Describing Maldives as a key maritime neighbor and an essential partner in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ and MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision, the ministry reiterated India’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties. This partnership reflects shared interests in regional security, economic stability, and maritime cooperation.

Khaleel’s visit is seen as a diplomatic effort to maintain momentum in the bilateral relationship, which has experienced ups and downs in recent months. Tensions rose sharply after President Mohamed Muizzu, known for his pro-China stance, assumed office in November 2023. Just hours after taking his oath, President Muizzu demanded the withdrawal of Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives. This move was interpreted as an alignment with China and a shift away from India, sparking diplomatic concerns.

In response, Indian military personnel in the Maldives were eventually replaced by civilian technical staff, a decision made to maintain continuity of cooperation while addressing Maldivian concerns. Although this led to a temporary cooling of relations, diplomatic efforts have since been made to restore trust and improve engagement. President Muizzu’s visit to Delhi in October signaled a willingness to reset ties, during which he expressed his commitment to bolstering bilateral cooperation.

The ongoing visit by Foreign Minister Khaleel is a continuation of that effort. It also reflects the recognition by both sides of the need for constructive dialogue, strategic collaboration, and mutual respect in addressing shared challenges, especially in the maritime domain where security and economic cooperation are of paramount importance.

Overall, this visit is a crucial step toward reinforcing the long-standing relationship between India and the Maldives, with both countries aiming to resolve past tensions and advance their strategic partnership in alignment with mutual national interests.