In a recent meeting, the foreign ministers of India and the Maldives, S. Jaishankar and Abdulla Khaleel, reaffirmed their commitment to bilateral cooperation. They discussed various aspects of their bilateral relations, including development projects, economic ties, security, and fintech.

They also signed an agreement to implement the next phase of High-Impact Development Projects (HIDCP) in the Maldives. The External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, reiterated Indias commitment to helping the Maldives despite its economic challenges. He said that India has always stood by the island nation and acknowledged it as its neighbor and first responder.

For us, you are a very concrete expression of our neighborhood First Policy, he added during a bilateral meeting with Abdulla Khaleel, the Maldives Foreign Minister, on Friday, January 3, 2025, in New Delhi.

Further, Jaishankar also recalled Maldives President Mohamed Muizzus visit to the country in October 2024 and their partnership over the Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security.

About Maldives Minister Abdulla Khaleels Visit to India

Notably, Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel is currently on an official visit to India from Thursday, January 2, to Saturday, January 4, 2025. During their visit, Jaishankar reaffirmed their commitment to bilateral ties and assured continued support to Maldives under the Neighborhood First Policy and Vision SAGAR (Security and Growth for all Religion).

Neighborhood First Policy

Notably, Indias Neighborhood First Policy is a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening relationships with its neighboring countries, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The policy focuses on enhancing physical, virtual, and people-to-people connectivity across the region along with trade and commerce. 

Vision SAGAR

Vision SAGAR stands for Security and Growth for All in the Region. It was introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015 as a strategic framework for Indias maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean region. It aims to promote sustainable economic growth through the blue economy, which includes fisheries, renewable energy, and marine resources. Vision SAGAR also worked to assist neighboring countries in building their maritime security capabilities through infrastructure development, coastal surveillance, and information exchange.

Additionally, in a social media post on X, S. Jaishankar informed about his meeting with the Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel. India signed agreements on implementing the next phase of high-impact community development projects aimed at pushing the growth of Maldives and strengthening relations between the two countries (India and Maldives).

Discussed our development cooperation and economic, security, fintech, and people-to-people ties. Also signed an agreement on implementing the next phase of High Impact Community Development Projects #HICDP in Maldives,

India will continue to be a steadfast supporter of Maldives’ progress and prosperity, in line with our Neighbourhood First policy and vision SAGAR, S. Jaishankar noted on his official X handle.

On the other side, Maldives Minister Khaleel also commended Indias unwavering support to the island nation and expressed his interest in strengthening their bilateral ties.

“Foreign Minister Dr. Khaleel, on his part, appreciated the timely emergency financial assistance extended by India to Maldives in times of need, reflecting India’s role as the “First Responder” of Maldives,” the Ministry of External Affairs stated in a press release.

“We reviewed the progress of our bilateral cooperation and reaffirmed our strong commitment to enhancing engagements across key sectors. I conveyed our appreciation for India’s unwavering support and assistance to the Maldives throughout our long history of relations. We are resolute in strengthening our partnership based on mutual trust and respect, for the benefit and prosperity of our peoples, Khaleel mentioned in a post on X.

Economic Challenges in Maldives

Maldives currently faces severe economic challenges. These including potential debt default, which is estimated to be 115.9% of its GDP as of 2023. Along with challenges in the tourism sector. It serves as one of the main sources of revenue for the countrys economic output. Maldives also recently saw strained ties with India due to anti-India sentiments displayed by the countrys president, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

He called for the removal of Indian military personnel from the Maldives, leading to the diplomatic tensions between the two countries. Despite his anti-India stances during his election campaign and presidency, President Muizzu softened his anti-India rhetoric ahead of his diplomatic visit in October 2024.