'India Our Closest Partner, It Is Even Better Now': Maldives President Muizzu | Exclusive Interview

Last Updated:July 26, 2025, 19:13 IST

News18 spoke with Mohamed Muizzu at the Republic Square in Malé, soon after PM Modi left following a two-day state visit

The President said that the Maldives was looking forward to the completion of the free trade agreement (FTA) with India. File Image

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu told News18 in an exclusive conversation on Saturday that India is his country’s “closest partner" and the new Rs 5,000 crore credit line announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit will greatly help the archipelagic country.

News18 spoke with Muizzu at the Republic Square in Malé, soon after PM Modi left following a two-day state visit.

“India is our closest partner, of course. I’m sure it is even better now," Muizzu said.

The President said that the Maldives was looking forward to the completion of the free trade agreement (FTA) with India. Both countries announced during PM Modi’s visit that they will begin negotiations over the FTA. “⁠Once completed, the FTA will be very beneficial for traders of both countries. We are looking forward to it," Muizzu told News18.

He also described the new Rs 5,000 crore credit line from India as a big help. Muizzu, in fact, told News18 how his government plans to utilise this aid. “We have earmarked a lot of crucial projects to carry out with that. For example, hospitals, housing development, infrastructure, schools. So, it will definitely help," Muizzu said in the interview.

The Maldives President also expressed his “⁠utmost thanks" to PM Modi for coming on this visit. “We are very grateful to the PM," Muizzu told News18.

These comments from Muizzu are a remarkable turnaround from 2023, when he came to power in the Maldives on an “Out India" plank, and some of his ministers made uncharitable remarks on India in 2024.

Muizzu also made state visits to Turkey and China before India, changing an old convention where a Maldives President always paid his first visit to India. But foreign minister S Jaishankar’s visit to the Maldives last year, followed by Muizzu’s state visit to India in October, brought bilateral relations back on track.

Aman Sharma

Aman Sharma, Executive Editor - National Affairs at CNN-News18, and Bureau Chief at News18 in Delhi, has over two decades of experience in covering the wide spectrum of politics and the Prime Minister’s Office....Read More

Aman Sharma, Executive Editor - National Affairs at CNN-News18, and Bureau Chief at News18 in Delhi, has over two decades of experience in covering the wide spectrum of politics and the Prime Minister’s Office....

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Location :

Male, Maldives

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News world 'India Our Closest Partner, It Is Even Better Now': Maldives President Muizzu | Exclusive Interview