Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu has expressed optimism about a surge in tourism following Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to the Maldives. The two-day visit, which coincided with the country’s 60th Independence Day celebrations, marked a significant step in strengthening bilateral ties between India and the island nation.
Speaking after high-level discussions in Malé, President Muizzu called Prime Minister Modi “a wonderful person” and said he was confident the visit would “increase tourism a lot.” India is one of the Maldives’ largest tourism markets, and Muizzu emphasized the potential for renewed growth in visitor numbers from the country.
The visit also marked the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations. As part of the engagements, India extended a $565 million line of credit to support Maldivian infrastructure development, and the two sides initiated talks on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Several agreements were also signed in areas including tourism, fisheries, digital transformation, and healthcare.
“We hope to welcome more Indian tourists to the Maldives,” President Muizzu said, noting the Maldives’ appreciation for India’s continued partnership in tourism and development. He added that improving regional connectivity, particularly through Indian-backed infrastructure such as the expanded Hanimadhoo International Airport, would help attract more travelers from India’s southern cities.
Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed also echoed these sentiments, stating that Prime Minister Modi’s visit would “further boost Indian tourist arrivals” and signal a new era of cooperation after a period of diplomatic strain.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit is widely seen as a diplomatic reset between the two countries, especially following Muizzu’s earlier “India Out” stance during his presidential campaign. The visit has not only reaffirmed India’s regional influence but has also opened doors for renewed economic and people-to-people engagement.
With tourism as a central pillar of the Maldivian economy, the leadership hopes that warmer ties with New Delhi will translate into higher visitor numbers and broader development benefits.
