MALE, July 25 – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu on Friday jointly inaugurated the new headquarters of the Maldives’ Ministry of Defence in Male, in a significant gesture aimed at resetting bilateral ties after months of strain.
Modi, who is on a high-profile visit to the island nation, described the newly constructed building as a “concrete building of trust” between the two nations and a symbol of “strong partnership”. The state-of-the-art facility will serve as the operational hub for the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).
As part of India’s continued defence cooperation with Maldives, Modi also handed over 72 vehicles and various operational equipment to the MNDF, reinforcing India’s commitment to supporting the archipelago’s security needs.
The ceremony marks a notable shift in the India-Maldives relationship, which had faced turbulence under Muizzu’s administration over his “India Out” campaign. However, recent diplomatic engagements suggest a willingness from both sides to work towards repairing and strengthening strategic ties.
Officials said defence cooperation remains a cornerstone of the India-Maldives relationship, with India being a key security partner through capacity-building, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief.