In a bustling urban enclave, the Maldivian Foreign Minister, Moosa Zameer, graced India with his official presence, expressing anticipation for enriching dialogues and immersion in the kaleidoscopic tapestry of Indian culture. Upon his arrival in the national capital on a day designated as Wednesday, Moosa Zameer, via a post on a platform referred to as X, conveyed, “Stepped foot in New Delhi for my inaugural bilateral official sojourn to India!”
He appended, “Eagerly awaiting substantive exchanges, fortification of bonds, and immersion in the effervescent milieu of Indian culture,” to his communiqué. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) likewise disseminated particulars of his arrival on the aforementioned platform, articulating, “Warm salutations to FM @MoosaZameer of Maldives on his ceremonial visit to India. Dialogue on bilateral & regional concerns and exploration of avenues to invigorate our multidimensional rapport lie ahead.”
As per the MEA proclamation, the Maldivian Minister is scheduled to convene with the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to deliberate upon matters of bilateral and regional interest. The MEA statement delineated, “Moosa Zameer, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives, shall grace India with his official presence on 09 May 2024. During his sojourn in New Delhi, Foreign Minister Zameer shall confer with the External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar for dialogues on matters of bilateral and regional relevance,” elucidated the MEA communiqué.
“Maldives holds a pivotal position as India’s maritime neighbor in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), and the visit of Foreign Minister Zameer is anticipated to impart renewed vigor to the bilateral collaboration between the two nations,” it appended. The visit occurs concomitantly with India’s affirmation of withdrawing its military personnel from Maldives prior to May 10.
Muizzu designates Zameer for Indian expedition
Mohamed Muizzu, renowned for his alignment with China, has entrusted his Foreign Minister, Moosa Zameer, with the responsibility of a formal sojourn to India, nearly half a year subsequent to assuming office as the President of Maldives.
India represents a nation with which Maldives has encountered strained relations, particularly following Muizzu’s ascension to power. Assuming office on November 17 in the antecedent year, it was Muizzu who veered from the tradition of Maldivian Presidents inaugurating their maiden overseas venture in India. Instead, his inaugural official voyage transpired in Turkey, with his primary diplomatic endeavor directed towards China.
Presently, instead of undertaking the voyage himself, Muizzu has deputed his Foreign Minister Zameer, who alighted in New Delhi on Wednesday eve. On the third day of May, India and Maldives convened for the fourth iteration of the bilateral High-Level Core Group conclave, where the imminent withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the island nation by May 10 was reviewed and reiterated. Preceding this, the Maldives government, under the aegis of Mohamed Muizzu, formally petitioned India for the evacuation of its troops from Male.
The Maldivian foreign ministry, in a press communique, expounded on the review of extant bilateral collaboration. “Deliberations encompassed an extensive spectrum of issues of mutual import, including developmental and defensive collaboration.” “Both parties expressed contentment over the commitment of the Government of India to withdraw military personnel from the final of the three aviation platforms by May 10, with all logistical arrangements proceeding as scheduled,” the press release appended.
Further consensus was reached on convening the fifth session of the High-Level Core Group in Male at a mutually acceptable juncture during the months of June or July. The previous month witnessed the Ministry of External Affairs confirming the commencement of replacement of Indian personnel stationed in the Maldives with technical personnel.
The ministry earlier apprised that both India and Maldives had concurred on a set of pragmatic solutions to ensure the continued operation of Indian aviation platforms providing humanitarian and medical evacuation services to the Maldivian populace.
In the preceding month, the MEA disclosed the dispatch of the initial contingent of Indian technical personnel to Maldives for the substitution of defense personnel. Two high-level core group conferences have been conducted between India and Maldives, with a third slated for the imminent future. The withdrawal of Indian troops from the nation formed the cornerstone of Muizzu’s party’s election campaign. Presently, approximately 70 Indian troops, alongside a Dornier 228 maritime patrol aircraft and two HAL Dhruv helicopters, remain stationed in Maldives.