Amid strained relations with India, Maldives saw a change of guard after massive movement in the Indian Ocean archipelago nation. With 54-year-old Ibrahim Solih taking over as the seventh President of the nation, India finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the swearing-in ceremony of Solih, who defeated strongman Abdulla Yameen in September. The first oath-taking ceremony that Modi has attended and the only South Asian neighbour that the Indian premier had not visited so far due to the political upheaval in that country.
Defence Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi, in an exclusive conversation with India Today, said that Maldivians were very “excited” to see Prime Minister Modi attend the event and that Maldives will always follow an ‘India First’ policy.
“With regard to our relations with India, I’m sure we have always had good relations with India even under the Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) government earlier, which was very short lived in 2008-2012. We hope that ‘India First’ policy that we had will continue,” she said.
Paving the way for a new beginning, Modi was seated beside former Maldivian presidents Mohamed Nasheed and Maumoon Abdul Gayoom during the ceremony. Former Sri Lankan president Chandrika Kumaratunga also attended the ceremony.
According to a joint press statement after talks between Prime Minister Modi and President Solih in Male on Saturday, the two leaders expressed confidence in the “renewal” of the close bonds of cooperation and friendship between the two countries.
“During their meeting, both leaders agreed on the importance of maintaining peace and security in the Indian Ocean and being mindful of each other’s concerns and aspirations for the stability of the region.”
One of the major concerns for India was the fact that the previous Yameen regime was getting close to China and in effect had even asked India to take back the two Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) which India had gifted to Maldives as well as the accompanying personnel from two atolls in the archipelago.
Responding to India Today’s question on what the government’s position on the copters is, the Maldivian Defence Minister said that it was not in their “culture” to return gifts. And that the helicopters would not be returned, but be put to good use.
“It is not in our culture to return things that are given to us, especially from our neighbours or even otherwise. We were very surprised when President Yameen announced he was returning India’s gifts to us. I have been told by the MNDF that they can be put these helicopters to use, that they can be used for medical evacuation and other services. I’m sure we will be putting it to good use in the future,” she said.
The two leaders also discussed the “dire”, “economic situation” in Maldives and ways to further economic partnership. President Solih highlighted the need for increased housing and infrastructure development as well as for establishing water and sewerage systems in the outlying islands. Prime Minister Modi assured “firm” commitment in assisting Maldives to achieve “sustainable social and economic development”.
“The two leaders discussed ways in which India can continue development partnership, particularly to help the new government in meeting its pledges to the people of the Maldives,” said the joint statement.
Prime Minister Modi “conveyed India’s readiness to extend help in every possible way and suggested that both sides should meet at the earliest to work out details as per requirements of the Maldives.”
PM Modi also welcomed the expanding “opportunities” for Indian companies to invest in the Maldives in different sectors for the mutual benefit of both countries.
One sector that took a major hit because of the tensions between New Delhi and the Yameen administration was the tourism and hospitality sector. Many Indians lost employment and were asked to return or their visas were not renewed as a result of souring ties with India.
The defence minister assured India Today that such “discrimination” would end.
“We will not discriminate on employment on the grounds of nationality. Indians have been working in the Maldivian tourism industry for a very long time and if there is a shortage of labour, we will welcome Indians, Sri Lankans, Bangladeshis, everyone alike,” said minister Mariyam Didi.
Both sides also agreed on the need for facilitating easier visa procedures, according to the joint statement.
Prime Minister Modi extended an invitation to President Solih to make a state visit to India at his earliest convenience. President Solih accepted the invitation with pleasure.
Meanwhile, the Maldivian foreign minister will visit India on November 26 to hold further discussions and to prepare for the forthcoming state visit of President Solih to India.
President Solih expressed the hope that Prime Minister Modi would make an official visit to the Maldives in the near future. Prime Minister Modi has gratefully accepted the invitation.
This was Modi’s first visit to the Maldives as prime minister. The last visit by an Indian prime minister to the Indian Ocean island nation was by Manmohan Singh in 2011.