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News18
8 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
Maldives Should Fully Support India On Pahalgam, Says Ambassador Bhatia Ahead Of PM Modi's Visit
Last Updated: Rajiv Bhatia said despite Muizzu's missteps, India handled the situation with maturity and pragmatism and continued its good works in Maldives Maldives should come out strongly in full support of India on the Pahalgam terror attack and the issue of combating international terrorism when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Male this week, Ambassador Rajiv Bhatia, who is an expert on Maldives, has told CNN-News18 in an interview. Bhatia earlier headed the division responsible for relations with Maldives in the Ministry of External Affairs. He said the last presidential elections in Maldives in 2023 were fought on the plank of 'India Out' campaign by Mohamed Muizzu, and the atmosphere was spoilt. Muizzu then paid visits to Turkey and China, said Bhatia, a Distinguished Fellow at Gateway House. 'But among the people of Maldives and various political parties, there is a lot of love for India. That emerged eventually and created pressure upon Muizzu. He hoped for a lot from China, but that was not achieved. India, however, handled the situation with maturity and pragmatism. We did not react and continued with the good works we had been doing in Maldives," Bhatia said. He said Maldives has realised that India is the one that helps it in times of crisis. 'They had a lot of expectations from China and the West but they were not fulfilled," Bhatia said. He said India-Maldives relations have been on a good wicket for a long period ever since Maldives got independence in 1965. 'There were some downs in the past, but now the relationship is moving upwards. This visit by our PM will cement it," he said. 'Under all Presidents, except one, from President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom onwards—the relationship was very friendly and cordial. Then, a particular President (Muizzu) came, and he appeared very pro-China. So that was a semicolon in the relationship," Bhatia told CNN-News18. He pointed out how Muizzu wanted to remove the 75 Indian soldiers who were in Male for looking after their choppers for medical emergencies. How the Relationship Got Repaired Bhatia said that normally, the President of Maldives makes his first trip to India, but Muizzu went to Turkey and China where he signed 20 agreements. 'So, it seemed he was unhappy with India. But the basic considerations of geographical proximity, historical relationship and mutual interests dominated the relationship. And as a result, two things happened last year—in August, S Jaishankar visited Maldives and then President Muizzu came to India last October. That became a very productive and successful visit," Ambassador Bhatia said. He said one must note that PM Modi is now the 'guest of honour' at the 60th Independence Day celebrations of Maldives, which is significant per se. 'But PM Modi's visits are not just about protocol and pomp. They are about substantive results. There will be discussions with the political leadership, the business community, the intellectual community, the diaspora and other dignitaries of the government. Some new agreements may be signed, and there could be closer coordination on global and regional issues." Bhatia said defence cooperation is very important, and India has been helping the police and security authorities in Maldives, along with the defence and navy of Maldives, over a long period. 'Maldives needs India a lot, we are their immediate neighbour who has always helped them. When tsunami crisis came, water crisis happened, when there was a security concern due to terrorists—India went out of its way to help them. We have a positive image there," Bhatia said. 'Without referring to a particular country (China) with which undoubtedly there is geopolitical competition in and around Maldives, the visit itself will convey the signal that India remains one of the most important strategic partners of Maldives," Bhatia said. He added that India played such a role in Sri Lanka and also in Maldives by way of financial assistance. 'India's generosity is not over. It will be more in the future, and new initiatives will emerge," Bhatia said. view comments Location : Maldives First Published: July 24, 2025, 08:32 IST News india Maldives Should Fully Support India On Pahalgam, Says Ambassador Bhatia Ahead Of PM Modi's Visit Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
21 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
'Had strong pro-China stance': After rough relations, ex-President Mohamed Nasheed on India-Maldives ties ahead of PM Modi's visit - here's what he said
NEW DELHI: Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed on Wednesday said that the island nation has always maintained an "India-first foreign policy", noting that it did "swing between a strong pro-China stance and a strong pro-India stance" in the past. He also praised India for its economic assistance and expressed hope from the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the country. "We have always maintained an India-first foreign policy in the Maldives. But in the past, election cycles have sometimes caused our foreign policy to swing between a strong pro-China stance and a strong pro-India stance," ANI quoted him saying. "Today, unlike before, across the spectrum of Maldivian politics, the approach is firmly India-first," he added. "When relations are strong, everyone benefits. I believe that the Prime Minister's visit will further boost Indian tourist arrivals to the Maldives," he said. On India's role in Maldivian economic upliftment, he said, "If not for India, we would have gone default. Indian assistance and partnership in the Maldives are deeply valued and have played a critical role during our challenging times. With mounting financial difficulties and substantial debt repayment obligations, India's timely support helped us avoid default and maintain stability." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo "Hanimadu Airport would be just a little over an hour from most of the southern Indian cities. There is a big opportunity for both countries to benefit," he said. PM Modi will visit the Maldives from July 25 to 26 at the invitation of President Mohamed Muizzu, where he will serve as the guest of honour at the nation's 60th Independence Day celebrations. The India-Maldives diplomatic row began in 2024 after three Maldivian deputy ministers made derogatory comments about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, triggered by his promotion of Lakshadweep as a tourist destination. Though the Maldivian government swiftly suspended the officials and distanced itself from their remarks, the backlash in India was swift and widespread.
Hans India
a day ago
- Business
- Hans India
Eyeing 'tangible outcomes', PM Modi embarks on two-nation visit to UK and Maldives
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday embarked on a two-nation visit to the United Kingdom and Maldives, hoping to solidify bilateral relations and expressing confidence that the visit will yield tangible outcomes. PM Modi's visit to the UK, scheduled for July 23-24, comes at the invitation of British counterpart Keir Starmer and will be his fourth trip to the country. In his departure statement, PM Modi said, "India and UK share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that has witnessed significant progress in recent years. Our collaboration spans a wide range of sectors, including trade, investment, technology, innovation, defence, education, research, sustainability, health and people-to-people ties." Day after tomorrow, 25th July, I will be in the Maldives at the invitation of the President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. 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… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 23, 2025 He said that he will hold bilateral meetings with PM Starmer and will discuss further enhancing the economic partnership, aimed at fostering prosperity, growth and job creation in both countries. "I also look forward to calling on His Majesty King Charles III during the visit," he said. In the second leg of the tour, PM Modi will undertake a State Visit to Maldives from July 25-26 at the invitation of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu. This marks PM Modi's third visit to the island nation and the first by any head of state or government during President Muizzu's tenure. Significantly, PM Modi will be the Guest of Honour at the 60th Independence Day celebrations of Maldives on July 26. This year also marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries. His visit underlines India's commitment to strengthening ties with its maritime neighbours under the 'Neighbourhood First' policy and Vision MAHASAGAR. PM Modi said that he is looking forward to meetings with President Muizzu and other political leadership of the Indian Ocean archipelago, to advance the joint vision of a Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership, and to strengthen the cooperation for peace, prosperity and stability in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). "I am confident that the visit will yield tangible outcomes, benefiting our people and advancing our Neighbourhood First Policy," PM Modi said.
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
"If not for India, we would have gone default": Former Maldives President Nasheed praises India's support ahead of PM Modi's visit
Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed has credited India with helping his country avoid economic collapse during its worst financial crisis in recent times. Talking about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Maldives, Nasheed said India's timely assistance prevented the Maldives from defaulting on its debt. "If not for India, we would have gone default," Nasheed told in an exclusive conversation ahead of PM Modi 's two-day trip to attend the Maldives' 60th Independence Day celebrations. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Project Management MCA Operations Management Cybersecurity Digital Marketing Public Policy healthcare Degree PGDM Data Science Leadership Product Management Data Analytics Management others CXO MBA Data Science Technology Finance Others Healthcare Artificial Intelligence Design Thinking Skills you'll gain: Project Planning & Governance Agile Software Development Practices Project Management Tools & Software Techniques Scrum Framework Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business Certificate Programme in IT Project Management Starts on Jun 20, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Portfolio Management Project Planning & Risk Analysis Strategic Project/Portfolio Selection Adaptive & Agile Project Management Duration: 6 Months IIT Delhi Certificate Programme in Project Management Starts on May 30, 2024 Get Details He said India's financial help during challenging times had played a critical role in maintaining the island nation's economic stability. "Indian assistance and partnership in the Maldives are deeply valued and have played a critical role during our challenging times. With mounting financial difficulties and substantial debt repayment obligations for the Maldives, India's timely support has helped us avoid default and maintain economic stability," he said. Nasheed noted that the economic partnership is more than just financial aid it is built on trust and regional solidarity. Live Events "This kind of partnership reinforces resilience and fosters trust between neighbouring nations," Nasheed added. Speaking about the foreign policy direction of the Maldives, Nasheed stressed that the country has always leaned towards India, but has often swung between India and China depending on election cycles. "We have always maintained an India-first foreign policy in the Maldives. But in the past, election cycles have sometimes caused our foreign policy to swing between a strong pro-China stance and a strong pro-India stance," said Nasheed. He added that democracy in the Maldives now allows for a more stable and consistent foreign policy approach. "Today, unlike before, across the spectrum of Maldivian politics, the approach is firmly India-first," he said. Nasheed said PM Modi's visit is a reaffirmation of India's strategic interest in the Maldives, given its crucial location in the Indian Ocean. "Maldives is positioned across some of the most navigable waters of the region of the Indian Ocean. Maldives stretches 1,000 kilometres from north to south and another 600 kilometres from east to west. Prime Minister Modi's visit to the Maldives reaffirms the strategic importance India places on its long-standing relationship with us. We welcome this engagement, as it contributes meaningfully to our national stability and opens up new avenues for shared prosperity," he said. On defence, Nasheed highlighted that the Maldives has always worked closely with India to enhance security in the region. "Ensuring the safety, security, and stability of the Indian Ocean region requires this robust defence cooperation between India and Maldives. This partnership is not just desirable it is essential," he added. He added that both countries have a shared responsibility in guarding maritime routes, improving disaster response, and protecting the marine environment. Praising India 's rapid economic growth, Nasheed said India's rise is not isolated and is based on shared development. "India is rapidly ascending as one of the world's leading economies, with its GDP now over \$4 trillion. We have long understood that prosperity in India does not come at the expense of its neighbours. It is not in the instinct of Indian society to grow in isolation. They want to do it together. We understand that," he said. He added that India's Neighbourhood First policy provides the Maldives with vital opportunities to integrate with its dynamic economic trajectory. "This regional approach has tangible outcomes. Tourist arrivals from India to our high-end resorts of the Maldives have expanded markedly. It has grown up very rapidly, reflecting the strength of our bilateral ties and our shared vision for development," he said. Nasheed called for a structured trade agreement between the two countries, particularly highlighting the demand for Maldivian fish in Indian markets. "Uninterrupted trade always brings mutual benefit. Maldivian fish enjoys high demand in Indian markets, reflecting not only the quality of our export but also the growing depth of our commercial ties," he said. He added that a formal trade agreement would provide structure and predictability, making it easier for both sides to maximise the economic potential of the partnership. "Beyond fish exports, such agreements could open pathways for cooperation in shipping, logistics, and sustainable marine practices sectors where both countries share interests and capabilities," he said. He further explained that economic integration should be seen not just as a transactional process, but as a foundation for shared growth. "A well-framed trade framework would bolster food security, diversify market access, and deepen trust -- aligning closely with the wider regional vision set out by India's Neighbourhood First policy and the Maldives' development goals. I think the trade agreement would be a win-win for both countries," he said. Nasheed also said PM Modi's visit will give a push to tourism from India, especially to the northern Maldives. "When relations are strong, everyone benefits. I believe that the Prime Minister's visit will further boost Indian tourist arrivals to the Maldives," he said. He mentioned that the Hanimadu Airport project, built with Indian credit support, is nearing completion and will soon connect southern Indian cities more easily with northern Maldives. "Hanimadu Airport would be just a little over an hour from most of the southern Indian cities. There is big opportunity for both countries to benefit," he added. PM Modi will travel to the Maldives from July 25-26. PM Modi will be the guest of honor at the Maldives' 60th Independence Day celebrations. He will hold talks with President Mohamed Muizzu to strengthen bilateral ties and review progress on the India-Maldives Joint Vision for a Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership. The visit aims to reset and enhance India-Maldives relations, which had been strained in the recent past.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
India to raise pro-Khalistani activities in UK, extradition of fugitives during PM Modi's visit
Besides the expected signing of the free trade agreement (FTA) with the United Kingdom, India will also raise the issue of Khalistani extremism and the return of fugitive economic offenders during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day official visit to the country, which starts Wednesday. During the visit, besides discussing the whole gamut of India-UK ties with his British counterpart Keir Starmer, PM Modi is also expected to call upon King Charles III, officials said. India and the UK had announced the conclusion of the FTA on May 6, after three years of negotiations. India is also in discussions with Maldives for an FTA as well as an investment treaty, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said Tuesday, briefing reporters on the PM's two-nation visit. After completing his official visit to the UK on Thursday, PM Modi will head to Maldives on a two-day state visit, where he will be the 'Guest of Honour' for the 60th Independence Day celebrations of the island nation on July 26. Misri said that the issue of Khalistani extremists and related groups is a matter of concern for India, and it has been brought to the attention of partners in the UK. Discussions have also taken place between India and the UK regarding the extradition of fugitives to India, Misri said. 'The issue of the presence of Khalistani extremists, bodies close to these people, is something that we have brought to the attention of our partners in the UK. We will continue to do so. This is a matter of concern not only to us but should be a matter of concern to our partners as well because this impacts social cohesion and social order in these countries as well,' he said. In response to a query on the issue of fugitives in the UK, including Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi and Lalit Modi, Misri said that there is a legal process to such requests regarding fugitives related to Indian law and India is working 'very closely' with the UK on this issue. 'There is a legal process that such requests, issues go through in the other country, and we continue to follow up very closely with our partners in the UK on these matters,' he said. Misri also listed key areas of the India-UK bilateral cooperation, saying that the partnership has seen regular high-level exchanges across sectors such as trade, investment and defence. This would be PM Modi's fourth visit to the UK. The India-UK partnership was upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2021 and since then, it has seen regular high level political exchanges. Misri added, 'In the defence sector, we are seeing regular interactions and exercises amongst all three branches of the armed forces.' The two PMs will also exchange views on issues of regional and global importance. On the Maldives visit, Misri said, 'On the economic front, one recent development… is that both countries are in discussions to negotiate a free trade agreement and an investment treaty as well, and new areas of cooperation, including renewable energy, fisheries, etc., are also being worked on.' 'India is one of the largest trading partners of the Maldives. The bilateral trade is nearly worth $500 million, and Indian investors remain part of sectors such as tourism in the Maldives and other economic activities,' Misri added. Beyond trade, Misri highlighted the flagship Greater Male Connectivity Project, which connects four islands of the Maldives, saying it is poised to transform the region's infrastructure, while also mentioning initiatives such as social housing projects that were tailored to Male's priorities. 'India continues to assist Maldives in building its capacity to train Maldives defence personnel, and a lot of this is done through regular training programmes and naval exercises between the two countries,' Misri noted. Asked about the turnaround in the strained ties between New Delhi and Male last year after Maldivian officials made alleged derogatory remarks about PM Modi, Misri said the visit by the Prime Minister will further contribute to consolidating the strong ties and contribute to peace, prosperity and security in the Indian Ocean region. PM Modi will embark on his two-nation tour of the UK and the Maldives from July 23 to July 26, the MEA had said Sunday. This will be the Prime Minister's third visit to the Maldives and the first visit by a head of state or government to the Maldives during the Presidency of Mohamed Muizzu. Divya A reports on travel, tourism, culture and social issues - not necessarily in that order - for The Indian Express. She's been a journalist for over a decade now, working with Khaleej Times and The Times of India, before settling down at Express. Besides writing/ editing news reports, she indulges her pen to write short stories. As Sanskriti Prabha Dutt Fellow for Excellence in Journalism, she is researching on the lives of the children of sex workers in India. ... Read More
