Bonhomie after hostility: Wind in Male seems to be in Delhi's favour

NEW DELHI: On Friday, when PM Narendra Modi touches down in the Maldives as the first foreign leader on a state visit under President Mohamed Muizzu, it will complete a shift in equations over the last two years.Muizzu was elected to office on an "India Out" platform. His cabinet colleagues didn't help matters by attacking Modi.Amid concerns over India losing a key ally, the govt had maintained its cool, with Modi being the first world leader to congratulate Muizzu. With the Muizzu govt inviting Modi to be the guest of honour for the Maldives' 60th independence day celebrations, official sources termed the turnaround as a validation of the Modi govt's policy of "strategic restraint"."Patience has its benefits; it helps if you don't give in to the compulsion and expectation to retaliate against each provocation," said a senior source.After turbulent times, wind in the island nation seems to be blowing in India's favour which bailed out the Maldives while it was facing a financial crisis. Govt had stepped in with an emergency financial aid of $400 million and currency swaps of Rs 3,000 crore, something that leaders in the Maldives have not forgotten, and the ties have become stronger.

"India is a key partner in the socio-economic and infrastructure development of the Maldives, and has stood by the Maldives during our times of need," Muizzu had said when he had visited India in Nov last year.Apart from the critical financial support and over $450 million of trade and investment footprint, and strong flow of tourists, India has offered continued defence, maritime, and capacity-building cooperation, and there are 13 new MoUs expanding ferry services across the Maldives. The frostiness which set in after the ouster of the defeat of Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in an election where he was dubbed India's vassal, seems to have been lifted because of the restraint exercised by New Delhi.