Latest news with #Muizzu
Straits Times
10 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Singapore and Maldives to cooperate on sustainability
PM Lawrence Wong shaking hands with Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu during a state visit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on June 30. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG SINGAPORE - Singapore and Maldives - both small island countries vulnerable to climate change - have signed an agreement to work together on sustainability and t he environment. In the afternoon of June 30, they also inked two other agreements to cooperate on capacity building and technical and vocational education training. These would allow the two countries to explore study visits, bilateral exchanges and share knowledge. The signing was witnessed by Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong and Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, who is in Singapore for a three-day state visit till July 2. The visit marks the 50th year of diplomatic relations between both countries. It is Dr Muizzu's first visit to Singapore in his current capacity , and the fifth high-level visit by a Maldivian president. Speaking at a state banquet later on June 30 , President Tharman Shanmugaratnam said Singapore and the Maldives feel the impact of global shifts more acutely than most, not least in the effects of climate change. 'Rising seas, increased warming and extreme weather, and increasingly fragile natural ecosystems pose a fundamental threat to all nations, but impact small island states in unique ways,' he added. The banquet was held at The Fullerton Hotel in honour of Dr Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed. They are accompanied on the trip by nine cabinet ministers and other senior government officials. Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu shaking hands with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam during the state visit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on June 30. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG Mr Tharman said Singapore and the Maldives are close partners in more ways than the countries' small size might suggest. 'We both rely on the world for trade, ideas, and growth. And we both share the instinct that if we stay open and outward-looking, and keep investing in our people, we can chart our own course, and turn our constraints as island states into opportunity,' he said. He noted that the Maldives has established itself as a world-renowned destination for luxury tourism, and is building deep expertise in sustainability and marine conservation. Singapore has harnessed its human capital and geography to become a global hub for trade, finance, and innovation, he added. Mr Tharman highlighted opportunities to deepen cooperation, citing areas like training for hospitality and sustainable tourism practices, as well as in the export of seafood and other products from the Maldives. Singapore can help expand Maldives' reach in East Asia, using its logistics networks and cold chain capabilities - needed in handling temperature-sensitive goods - to ensure short lead-time-to-market, lower logistics costs, and product integrity, he said. Before attending the state banquet, Dr Muizzu received a ceremonial welcome and called on Mr Tharman at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He and PM Wong also met to discuss opportunities to strengthen economic cooperation, including a bilateral investment treaty. Dr Muizzu and Mrs Sajidha also visited the National Orchid Garden in the Singapore Botanic Gardens, where a new orchid hybrid was named in their honour. (From left) Mrs Tan, Minister Tan Kiat How, First Lady of the Maldives Sajidha Mohamed, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu during the orchid naming ceremony held at the National Orchid Garden on June 30. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO Most of Singapore's investments in Maldives are in tourism, with Banyan Tree and Hotel Properties being the largest investors. In 2024, bilateral trade amounted to $351.9 million. The new agreement on sustainability and the environment covers areas such as climate change negotiation, environmental protection, waste and wastewater management, and weather forecasting and climate science. Under the agreement, both countries will explore study visits, bilateral exchanges and share knowledge on topics of mutual interest. Under the two-year memorandum of agreement (MOU) on capacity building, Singapore will offer customised study visits for government officials from Maldives. These will cover areas such as sustainable development, economic development and public administration. Over 1,600 Maldives officials have been trained under the Singapore Cooperation Programme so far, mainly in finance, public administration, governance and law, and economic development. The Singapore Cooperation Programme was established in 1992. It allows foreign officials to sign up for courses that the Government supports. The MOU between Singapore's Institute of Technical Education (ITE), and Maldives' Ministry of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development, aims to strengthen cooperation in higher education, educational policy, technical and vocational education and training, and research. It will focus on joint curriculum development, sharing of best practices, capacity building for higher education institutions in the Maldives, and enhancing the quality and relevance of vocational training. Maldives Minister of Tourism and Environment Thoriq Ibrahim and Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu shake hands after signing a MOU on Cooperation in Sustainability and the Environment on June 30. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG Key areas of cooperation include faculty and student exchanges, joint research initiatives, collaborative academic programmes, and policy dialogue. The five-year MOU also supports professional development through executive education, immersion attachments, and training in educational planning and governance. To commemorate the 50th year of diplomatic ties between both countries, SingPost and the Maldives Post have also jointly released a set of stamps. Featured on the stamps are Singapore's Lazarus Island and Hulhudhoo of the Maldives. The stamps were unveiled by Mr Tharman and Dr Muizzu at Fullerton Hotel before the banquet. During their visit, Dr Muizzu and his delegation will also participate in a high-level investment forum organised by Invest Maldives. In addition, they will visit Tuas Port, ITE Central and URA Gallery to understand Singapore's experiences in port management, vocational education, urban planning and housing development. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
The Hindu
23-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Yoga as Soft Power: India Flexes Muscle in the Maldives
Published : Jun 23, 2025 14:02 IST - 4 MINS READ Two years after protesters attacked and vandalised a yoga day celebration in the Maldivian capital, Male, the Indian Mission organised the event successfully in the archipelago nation in the open, to mark International Yoga Day on June 21. This time the Indian Mission took care to cater to the sensitivity in the Sunni Islamic nation—it moved the programme to a resort. The icing on the cake was that the Mission managed to persuade the President Mohamed Muizzu government to send a Minister to the event. Many in Muizzu's party, the People's National Congress (PNC), had demanded a stop to events such as yoga day, which, in their view, was against Islamic culture. 'ICC [the Indian Cultural Centre–Maldives], under High Commission of India, coordinated #IDY2025 celebrations at Taj Resort, with 500+ yoga lovers, diplomats, locals and diaspora,' a post on social media platform X by the Cultural Centre said. 'ICC teacher demonstrated common yoga protocol & the event was graced by HE Ibrahim Amir [Maldivian Minister] and HC [High Commissioner] Mr. Balasubramanian.' Last year, the Indian High Commission celebrated the day at its premises. The Mission's post said: '10th International Day of Yoga celebrated at the High Commission of India in the Maldives. Event witnessed participation of Maldivian & Indian Yoga enthusiasts.' The Indian Cultural Centre, Maldives, in a post on social media platform X, conveyed its 'heartfelt gratitude to Maldivian friends for gracing the event'. Last year, no Maldivian Minister was part of the event. Also Read | Why Maldives is strengthening ties with Islamic nations and China Naturally, there was negligible reaction from the section of Maldivians opposed to India holding a yoga day event in the Maldives. Hussain Shafiu, founder of the software company, HIS studios, commented that this was because 'it was done inside and people didn't even hear about it happening. That's why the difference in public reaction.' In fact, the 2025 Yoga Day was the biggest in the country, ever since the Indian government began pushing for massive shows after the Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party government assumed office for the first time, in 2014. One X user, a Maldivian citizen, noted: 'The Indian Embassy organised the biggest yoga event in the Maldives at Taj Maldives. Through this event, the Indian government showed that they can do whatever they want in the Maldives, including influencing local Muslims.' So far, no one has been tried for the 2022 disruption in Maldives, though 38 persons were arrested soon after the attack. The arrested included two religious personalities and a politician, who is now a lawmaker. The politician tried to later distance himself from the violence. The government is not keen on pursuing cases against the 38 persons. 'Following a review of the incident, the Prosecutor General's Office announced last Tuesday that it will only pursue charges against individuals with clear evidence of direct involvement in the violence or acts of intimidation during the June 21, 2022, event,' news website MV+ media reported on June 21. The 2022 disruptors were charged with terrorism, among other sections—a charge which was difficult to prove. The then ruling party, the MDP, had gone overboard to please India. Events that followed the 2022 attack have confirmed that it was a political project, to give momentum to those opposed to the then ruling party, the MDP. The fillip that this disruption gave formed the basis of the 'India Out' campaign. Till then, the campaign, which was against Indian armed forces personnel stationed in the Maldives, did not have a visible symbol because the personnel were stationed away from public gaze. Also Read | India-Maldives row: Is social media driving foreign policy? The yoga day provided a symbol of Indian imposition. The 2022 yoga campaign was organised in the capital Male's biggest stadium, the Galolhu National Stadium. The disruptors claimed that this was cultural imposition through yoga. This theme became relatable to the Maldivians—more than a third of the nearly 5.26 lakh population reside in the capital city. The campaign, India's tone-deafness to the cultural anxiety of the Maldivians, and the Maldivian Democratic Party government's reluctance to forcefully take up the issue with the Indian government, were partly responsible for Muizzu being propelled to power. The June 2025 yoga day conveys to Maldivians a new geopolitical reality—that India is a reality and it cannot be wished away. India had extended currency swap facility to the financially beleaguered nation as well as provided it aid and budgetary support. 'The warming ties were evident at this year's yoga day. State Minister for Sports' presence at the Taj Maldives Resort signalled official endorsement, a far cry from the chaos of three years ago,' noted the news and perspectives website, etruthmv. But not everyone accepts this reality. The Religious Scholars Association has condemned the event, the Maldives Insight website reported. 'Referencing the yoga-related unrest in 2022, the statement emphasised that the incident demonstrated how yoga poses a significant threat to national unity in the Maldives,' it said and added that the current government officials were opposed to yoga when they were not in power.
The Print
02-06-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Maldives holds ‘very special place' in India's foreign policy: Envoy
The diplomat said Maldives is important to India not because of its strategic geographical location, but because 'we have been neighbours, and we will continue to be neighbours'. In a recent interview with news portal, Balasubramanian expressed hope India and Maldives will always work together for the benefit of the region as a whole. Male, Jun 2 (PTI) Maldives occupies a 'very special place' in New Delhi's foreign policy, not because of its strategic geographical location but because it is India's neighbour, Indian High Commissioner G Balasubramanian has said. 'We are one of the closest partners to Maldives, and so are you for us… for India in its diplomatic outreach, 'Neighbourhood First' is one of its major policies. And in the 'Neighbourhood First Policy', Maldives occupies a very special place,' he said. Balasubramanian said in India, there is a 'complete recognition' of the importance that Maldives has 'in our relationship in our neighbourhood'. India and Maldives are very close to each other both culturally, people-to- people, and contact-wise, he said. 'There are linguistic linkages also and we have always been there, standing shoulder to shoulder with Maldives in the growth that both our countries have witnessed in the past 60 years,' Balasubramanian said. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Maldives. The ties between India and the Maldives came under severe strain after Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, took charge of the top office in November 2023. Within hours of his oath, he had demanded the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from his country. Subsequently, the Indian military personnel were replaced by civilians. There was a thaw in the relations as Muizzu vowed to boost the bilateral ties with India during his visit to Delhi in October last year. Affirming India's commitment to the principle of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', meaning the whole world is one family, Balasubramanian said India wants all countries to grow together peacefully and resolve any differences between each other through negotiations and dialogue only. 'We have been solid partners for many years, many decades together. And our concept is 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'… So we treat all our friends, our neighbourhood, particularly in the Global South, as very important partners to grow together. 'We are happy to share our technology, experiences, and we are happy to come to assistance whenever it is required, whether it is the Indira Gandhi medical hospital that was set up earlier or the various other projects,' the envoy said. Last month, India extended crucial financial support to the Maldives through the rollover of the USD 50 million Treasury Bill for one more year, a move the Maldivian government said will support its ongoing efforts to implement fiscal reforms for economic resilience. India has maintained that the Maldives is its key maritime neighbour and also an important partner in the 'Neighbourhood First' policy and Vision 'MAHASAGAR' (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions). India has recently signed 13 MoUs with the Maldives for enhancing ferry services in the island nation, with an MVR 100 million grant, expanding maritime connectivity and uplifting community livelihoods. PTI SCY SCY This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
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First Post
02-06-2025
- Business
- First Post
Is Maldives back into India fold? PM Modi may visit Male as I-Day guest on Muizzu's invitation
While details of the visit are still being finalised, one potential date under discussion is July 26, which marks Maldives Independence Day, according to a report read more India is considering an invitation from the Maldives for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the strategically important Indian Ocean nation in July, according to a report, citing sources familiar with the matter. The move comes after Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel reaffirmed President Mohamed Muizzu's 2024 invitation during his visit to India last week. According to a Times of India report, while details of the visit are still being finalised, one potential date under discussion is July 26, which marks Maldives Independence Day. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD If the visit goes ahead, it would be PM Modi's first trip to the Maldives since President Muizzu took office in November 2023, added the report. According to a Wion report, the visit, if it materialises, is likely to focus on the inauguration of India-supported projects in the country with a focus on wider stability of the Indian Ocean region – where both countries have been working with each other under initiatives like the Colombo Security Conclave. Khaleel visited India last week for the third time this year, signaling the Maldives' intent to strengthen ties with New Delhi amid growing concerns in both India and the West over its relationship with China. During the visit, Khaleel and his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar reviewed bilateral cooperation across several key areas, including development partnership, defence and security, and trade and investment. Following the meeting, Jaishankar reaffirmed India's commitment to the Maldives' progress and development, and expressed gratitude for Maldivian support on counter-terrorism efforts. President Muizzu has consistently said that the Maldives will not take any steps that compromise India's security interests. He has defended his decision to withdraw Indian military personnel from the country as a reflection of the Maldivian people's aspiration for sovereignty and non-interference in domestic affairs. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In an interview to Ceylon Today last week, the president said the Maldives will not allow its geographical location to be misused by any country for deliberate attempts that undermine the peace and stability in the Indian Ocean region. 'Our approach will always be for regional peace and sovereignty, and fair diplomacy with everyone," he was quoted as saying. India has been a key economic and infrastructure partner for the Maldives, notably supporting the Greater Male Connectivity Project — the country's largest infrastructure initiative. The project, linking Male to Villingili, Gulhifalhu, and Thilafushi via bridges, causeways, and roads, is vital for the proposed Gulhifalhu Port and is expected to drive future economic growth and job creation. It is backed by a $400 million Line of Credit and a $100 million grant from India. PM Modi last visited the Maldives in 2019, shortly after beginning his second term. During that visit, he addressed the newly elected People's Majlis and oversaw the signing of MoUs in hydrography, health, and sea-based passenger-cargo services. He also pledged support for the restoration of the historic Hukuru Miskiiy (Friday Mosque) in Malé. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India has consistently acted as the Maldives' first responder—from the 2004 tsunami to the COVID-19 pandemic—and remains the largest provider of defence training for the Maldivian National Defence Force, having trained over 1,500 MNDF personnel in the past decade. With inputs from agencies
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Ties warmer, PM Modi may make 1st Maldives trip of Muizzu era
Ties warmer, PM Modi may make 1st Maldives trip of Muizzu era NEW DELHI: India is favourably considering an invitation by the Maldives for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the strategically important Indian Ocean country in July, TOI has learnt. This follows a strong reiteration of President Mohamed Muizzu's 2024 invitation to Modi by Maldives foreign minister Abdulla Khaleel during his visit to India last week. While it's too early to talk about the programme or agenda, it is learnt that one of the dates being considered for Modi's visit to the archipelago is July 26, the Maldives Independence Day. If it happens, it will be the first visit by Modi to the country since Muizzu assumed office in November 2023. Khaleel was in India last week for the third time this year, signalling an intent on the part of the Maldives to deepen ties with India amid concerns both here and in the West about its ties with China. Along with his counterpart S Jaishankar, Khaleel reviewed bilateral cooperation in a range of areas, including the development partnership, defence and security, and trade and investment. Jaishankar said after the meeting that India remained committed to Maldives's progress and development. He also thanked Khaleel for the solidarity with India on the issue of terrorism. Muizzu has continued to strongly maintain that the Maldives will not do anything to hurt India's security interests and that his decision to force Indian military personnel out of the country was based purely on the Maldivian people's desire for independence and non-interference in internal affairs. In an interview to Ceylon Today last week, the president said the Maldives will not allow its geographical location to be misused by any country for deliberate attempts that undermine peace and stability in the Indian Ocean region. "Our approach will always be for regional peace and sovereignty, and fair diplomacy with everyone," he said. India sees Maldives as a key maritime neighbour and an important partner in its Neighbourhood First policy and Vision Mahasagar (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions). According to the Indian external affairs ministry, the visit was aimed at strengthening the Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership between the two countries. As Prime Minister Modi and Muizzu had said in a joint statement after the latter's visit to India in October 2024, this partnership will be people-centric, future-oriented and will act as an anchor of stability in the Indian Ocean region. Among the big takeaways from that visit was a significant decision to initiate discussions on a Bilateral Free Trade Agreement focusing on trade in goods and services between the two countries.
