India and the Maldives are set to strengthen their diplomatic ties as the Speaker of the People's Republic of Maldives, along with a parliamentary delegation, will visit India from February 10-14, 2025. This visit is a significant part of India's ongoing efforts to enhance regional cooperation under its 'Neighbourhood First' policy, aimed at fostering stronger people-to-people relations with neighboring countries.
The news was shared by India's Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, in a written response to the Lok Sabha. The Minister highlighted the importance of regular parliamentary exchanges between India and its neighbors as part of the ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy. He added that such exchanges have been happening consistently over the years, further strengthening bilateral relationships.
Notably, the forthcoming visit by the Maldivian parliamentary delegation builds on a history of diplomatic engagements. Margherita also mentioned previous visits, including the Lok Sabha Speaker’s trip to the Maldives in September 2019, and the visits by the Speaker of the Maldives to India in December 2019, April 2022, and August 2022.
The strengthening of India-Maldives relations is not limited to parliamentary exchanges. In October 2024, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu visited India and held discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During a joint press conference, President Muizzu remarked, "The ties between the Maldives and India are centuries-old, as evident throughout our histories," underlining the historical and enduring relationship between the two nations.
In addition to the diplomatic exchange, concerns about fraudulent job offers from overseas have been raised in the Indian Parliament. Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, addressed these concerns, highlighting the government's proactive measures to tackle scams targeting Indian nationals. Singh confirmed that the government is working closely with state police to investigate and prosecute entities involved in fake recruitment offers. He reassured that the safety and well-being of Indian nationals seeking employment abroad remain a top priority for the Indian government.
The upcoming visit by the Maldivian delegation reflects both nations' commitment to fostering closer ties and addressing contemporary issues, such as job scams. It marks a continued effort to adapt diplomatic and governmental relations in ways that benefit both countries and their citizens.
This visit, scheduled for February 2025, promises to further enhance the strategic partnership between India and the Maldives, paving the way for greater collaboration and mutual support on various regional and global issues.