India has consistently supported Maldives through both favorable and challenging times. The tiny island nation, situated 2,142 kilometers from India, faced calls for boycott by Indians on social media at the outset of 2024 due to crude and racist remarks made by three Maldives ministers directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India.
In response to the situation, Maldives, known for attracting a substantial number of tourists, including Indians, engaged in damage control on Sunday, distancing itself from the offensive comments made by Malsha Shareef, Mariyam Shiuna, and Abdulla Mahzoom Majid. Later in the day, the three ministers were suspended, just a day before Maldives President Mohammad Muizzu's scheduled trip to Beijing to seek funds. It's worth noting that Muizzu assumed the presidency last November, garnering votes by pledging to remove Indian armed forces from Maldives.
Last month, PM Modi and President Muizzu had a meeting during the COP28 summit in Dubai, where both countries agreed to establish a core group to strengthen their partnership.
India's support for the Maldives dates back to its independence in 1965, with New Delhi being among the first to recognize the island nation and establish diplomatic relations. In 1988, India intervened to thwart a coup attempt backed by the Liberation Tiger of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), under the mission code-named 'Operation Cactus.'
In 2018, PM Modi attended the swearing-in ceremony of President Ibrahim Solih, holding bilateral talks and announcing a financial assistance package of $1.4 billion. The assistance included budgetary support, subscription to Treasury bills, a Currency Swap Agreement, and infrastructure projects under the Line of Credit.
Since 1988, defense and security have been major areas of cooperation. India provides significant training opportunities for the Maldivian National Defence Force (MNDF), meeting approximately 70% of their defense training requirements. Over the past decade, India trained over 1,500 MNDF members, engaging in joint patrols, anti-narcotic operations, search and rescue activities, and more.
India actively involves MNDF in exercises related to humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, search and rescue, and pollution control. India has provided pollution dispersants to the MNDF Coast Guard and offers customized training for the MNDF Fire and Rescue Service.
India has executed various development projects in Maldives, including the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital and the Maldives Polytechnic. The India-Maldives Faculty of Hospitality & Tourism Studies was initiated during the visit of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2002.
In 2021, India became Maldives' third-largest trade partner, with exports comprising engineering and industrial products, pharmaceuticals, radar apparatus, rock boulders, aggregates, cement, agricultural produce, and more.
India's longstanding support encompasses diverse sectors, reflecting a comprehensive partnership between the two nations.
