Malé: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the Maldives on Friday for a crucial two-day visit, marking a potential thaw in relations between New Delhi and Malé. Fresh off his UK trip, Modi was received with full honours by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu at the airport, a gesture seen as a significant step towards mending strained ties.
As Modi touched down in the island nation, chants of “Vande Mataram” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” filled the air, with members of the Indian diaspora turning out in large numbers to welcome him warmly.
#WATCH | Chants of ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ resonate as PM Narendra Modi arrives in Maldives on a two-day official visit pic.twitter.com/vRadq9Wjs5
— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2025
The visit carries major diplomatic weight. Relations between the two countries had cooled after Muizzu, seen as leaning towards China, took office in 2023 and demanded the withdrawal of Indian troops from Maldivian soil. Tensions escalated further after a social media spat following Modi’s promotional visit to Lakshadweep — widely interpreted as an effort to position the Indian territory as a rival tourist destination to Maldives.
The backlash from Maldivian social media mocking Modi’s beachside photos triggered a nationalistic uproar in India, sparking a boycott call against Maldives tourism. India, however, later agreed to pull back its military personnel from the archipelago, easing friction.
In a surprising development earlier this year, Maldives named Bollywood star Katrina Kaif as its global tourism brand ambassador — a symbolic move towards rebuilding cultural and diplomatic bridges.
Now, with Modi’s visit and Muizzu’s personal welcome, both nations appear to be navigating towards a more cooperative and pragmatic phase in their bilateral relations.
