The Wire Staff 
New Delhi: Maldives had proposed a visit of President Mohamed Muizzu to India immediately after he took over office in November last. But, with Muizzu having chosen Turkey as first destination and thanks to the fact that he is currently on a China trip, an India visit does not seem to be scheduled in the near future.
Muizzu had won the presidential elections last year, targeting the incumbent Ibrahim Solih for endangering Maldives’ sovereignty by fostering close military ties with India. The opposition had campaign on an ‘India Out’ platform to oust alleged Indian military personnel from the island nation.
A day after being sworn in, Muizzu had formally requested India to withdraw its troops stationed in the Maldives. These troops operate two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft for humanitarian purposes.
Soon after, the new Maldivian government also conveyed to the Indian high commission that President Muizzu would like to visit India.
Even as both sides were considering dates, the Maldives president’s office announced that he would be travelling to Turkey, breaking a tradition set by all previous democratically elected presidents of the country – to choose India as their first foreign destination.
From Turkey, Muizzu also travelled to the United Arab Emirates for the COP summit. On the sidelines of the summit, he met with the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and directly raised the demand for the withdrawal of Indian troops.
Due to unfavourable atmospherics for an upcoming visit to India, discussions about Muizzu’s travel plans were still in the early stage.
The Wire had reported on December 31 that Maldives had confirmed a presidential visit to China in January. It was officially announced by the Maldivian government on January 4 that Muizzu will be embarking on a five-day visit to China.
It is unlikely that India would agree to a visit from the Maldivian President very soon after he returns from China. In a couple of months, India will also go into campaign mode with general elections due in the first half of this year. At that time, incoming foreign visits are not scheduled.
Addressing an Invest Maldives Forum in Fuzhou city on Tuesday, January 9, Muizzu urged China to “regain” its position as the main destination for tourists to the Indian ocean island nation. “China was our number one market pre-COVID, and it is my request that we intensify efforts for China to regain this position,” he said.
Muizzu’s comments were significant amidst escalating tensions between the two nations, triggered by derogatory statements from Maldivian ministers regarding the Indian PM’s visit to the Lakshadweep islands. The three deputy ministers were subsequently “suspended” by Maldives.
Following the tweets, there was outrage in the Indian social media, with some users advocating for a boycotting any travel to Maldives. Over the past two days, numerous Indian celebrities, including film stars, simultaneously announced on X that they would opt for an Indian destination instead of choosing Maldives.
In 2023, India had narrowly surpassed Russia to become the primary source of foreign tourists for Maldives.