Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi returns to India after Maldives visit

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has returned to India after concluding his official visit to the Maldives on Saturday, where he attended the 60th Independence Day celebrations.

In a post on X, Modi expressed gratitude to the Maldivian government, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, and the people for their warm hospitality. He described it as an honor to participate in the Independence Day festivities and noted that his discussions with President Muizzu would strengthen bilateral relations.

Modi arrived in the Maldives on Friday and held productive talks with government officials, including official meetings with President Muizzu. During the visit, India extended significant assistance to the Maldives, including debt relief and the donation of heavy vehicles for the Maldivian military. He also met with with leaders of political parties, including the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

ދިވެހިރާއްޖެއަށް ކުރި މި ކާމިޔާބު ދަތުރު ނިންމުމަކަށް އަންނައިރު، ހިތުގެ އެންމެ ފުންމިނުން ރައީސް މުޢިއްޒުއަށާއި، ދިވެހި ސަރުކާރަށާއި، ދިވެހި ރައްޔިތުންނަށް ތިޔަ ދެއްވި މެހެމާންދާރީއަށް ޝުކުރު ދަންނަވަން. 60ވަނަ މިނިވަން ދުވަހުގެ މުނާސަބަތުގައި ބައިވެރިވުމަކީ އަޅުގަނޑަށް ލިބުނު… pic.twitter.com/iQyQWQHZ7b

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 26, 2025

On Saturday, Prime Minister Modi joined President Muizzu in observing the special activities that began at the Republic Square in Malé city and met with the Vice President of the Maldives, Hussain Mohamed Latheef. 

The current Maldivian government came to power after leading the “India Out” campaign, which called for the withdrawal of Indian troops from the Maldives. This initially strained relations, with India expressing displeasure and the Muizzu government being labeled “pro-China” by some. 

Tensions escalated early in the administration when several deputy ministers made inflammatory remarks about Modi and the Indian people. However, the government has since made significant efforts to mend ties, highlighted by President Muizzu’s attendance at Modi’s third-term swearing-in ceremony in June 2024.