The diplomatic ties between Maldives and India are set to be strengthened with the scheduled visit of the Speaker of the People's Republic of Maldives and his parliamentary delegation to India from February 10-14, 2025. This visit aims to solidify the mutual relationship under the 'Neighbourhood First' policy, which has become the cornerstone of India's foreign policy, especially with its immediate neighbors.
Indian Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, conveyed this information to the Lok Sabha, responding to inquiries about recent parliamentary exchanges between India and its neighbors. During the session, Margherita emphasized the importance of these exchanges, stating, "in keeping with the objectives of the 'Neighbourhood First' Policy for enhancing people-to-people relations, regular parliamentary exchanges with our neighbouring countries have been taking place over the years."
This parliamentary visit is part of broader efforts to reinforce diplomatic channels. Margherita’s comments provide insight not only on the planned visit but also on the history of such exchanges. He noted previous interactions, including the Lok Sabha Speaker's visit to Maldives from September 1-4, 2019, and the reciprocation with visits by Maldives' Speaker to India, including December 2019, April 2022, and August 2022.
Further highlighting the depth of relations, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu's recent visit to India in October this year held significance as he discussed burgeoning ties with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Following their meeting, Muizzu remarked in a joint press conference, "the ties between the Maldives and India are centuries-old, as evident throughout our histories." This historical perspective underlines the persistent efforts by both nations to maintain and improve their diplomatic rapport.
Following the Lok Sabha's detailed discussions on parliamentary exchanges, concerns were raised about fraudulent job offers plastered across social media channels luring Indian nationals. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh spoke about the government's commitment to combating these scams, indicating the seriousness with which the administrations take the well-being of Indian citizens. He stated, "it has come to the notice of the government instances of dubious entities involved in fake recruitment job offers," pointing to immediate actions taken when such scams are reported.
The Ministry is coordinating with state police to investigate and prosecute these cases under the legal framework of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and relevant legislation enacted by several state governments. Singh reiterated, "the Government accords utmost priority to the safety, security and well-being of Indian nationals proceeding for employment abroad." This proactive stance showcases the Indian government’s resolve to protect its citizens from exploitation.
Through the forthcoming visit of the Maldivian parliamentary delegation, India aims to deepen cooperation and engagement with its neighbor. It stresses not only the significance of maintaining age-old ties but also the need for adaptive measures to navigate contemporary issues like overseas employment scams.
Overall, the upcoming exchanges scheduled for February 2025 highlight the shared interests between India and Maldives and set the framework for future collaborations. This momentum indicates both nations are committed to fostering stronger ties through mutual visits and corresponding parliamentary interactions, adapting to challenges, and ensuring the safety of their citizens.
With the backdrop of historical relations and current cooperative initiatives, both India and Maldives are working to strengthen their partnership, which is pivotal for regional stability and economic collaboration.
