PM Modi shakes hands with Maldives President Abdulla Yameen - Maldives reaches out to India, discusses high-level bilateral meet in bid to undo perceived snub

The modalities of the meeting are being worked out and the visit is expected to take place early next month. Tensions seemed to have peaked last week after a pro-govt newspaper described PM Modi as anti-Muslim and India as an enemy nation. President Yameen has now denied that the editorial reflected his govt’s position and called India the country’s “closest friend”

by Sachin Parashar

NEW DELHI: Amid growing concerns in New Delhi over an open display of hostility against India in the Maldives, Male seems to be finally reaching out to the Indian government. It is currently discussing a high-level bilateral visit from India which it hopes will help calm frayed nerves on both sides. 

The modalities of the meeting are being worked out and the visit is expected to take place early next month.

Tensions seemed to have peaked last week after a pro-government newspaper described PM Narendra Modi as anti-Muslim and India as an enemy nation. President Abdulla Yameen has now denied that the editorial reflected his government's position in any way and called India the country's "closest friend" and ally.

While the Maldives recently signed an free trade agreement (FTA) with China, Yameen said his government was discussing the same pact with India. Indian officials believe the situation is really not as alarming as is being made out to be.

The statement also mentioned the FTA with China with Yameen saying that it would bring several opportunities to the country. India believes that even as the Maldives continues to court China, it won't affect the strategically located nation's ties with India or dilute in any way its officially stated India First policy.