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It is worth noting that Muizzu had requested India to withdraw its military officers late last year, after which India withdrew 80 military officers in early 2024. However, technical staff are still present in the Maldives to operate Indian helicopters and aircraft.
Bilateral relations, which had cooled down after Muizzu came to power, are now slowly getting back on track. Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar's visit in August was the first high-level contact after Muizzu's election. Now this defense dialogue is being seen as another positive step towards improving relations between the two countries.
On the other hand, the economic crisis in Maldives is also increasing. Maldives' Sukuk bonds are trading at an all-time low. There is a fear whether Maldives will be able to repay its debt on time or not. Especially when the next installment of $500 million on October 8 is approaching. Experts say that the risk of default has increased due to the lack of foreign exchange reserves in Maldives. In such a situation, Maldives is now looking towards India with hope.
Defence ties between India and Maldives have always been strong. India has provided Dornier aircraft and patrol vessels to the Maldives. In addition, the two countries have also collaborated on several major infrastructure projects, including the $500 million Greater Male Connectivity Project funded by India.
