'Centuries of Friendship...': Maldives Prez's Message On India's Republic Day Amid Diplomatic Row

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu extended his greetings to India on the occasion of 75th Republic Day on Friday, the Maldivian President’s office said. Muizzu referred to the “centuries old friendship” between the two nations founded on “mutual respect and a deep sense of kinship”.

“President Mohamed Muizzu sent greetings and good wishes to the President and Prime Minister of India on the occasion of the 75th Republic Day of India. In separate messages to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Muizzu conveyed greetings and extended his heartfelt felicitations on commemorating the 75th Republic Day of India,” the Maldives President office said in a statement.

“President Muizzu conveyed good wishes from the Government and the people of the Maldives to the Government and the people of India. He underscored the Maldives-India bond nurtured by centuries of friendship, mutual respect, and a deep sense of kinship. The President expressed hope for continued peace, progress, and prosperity for the Government and people of India for years to come,” the statement added.

Maldives foreign minister Moosa Zameer also extended greetings to the people of India on the occasion of Republic Day in a post on social media site X. “Warmest greetings and sincere good wishes to Minister of External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar and the friendly people of India, on the joyous occasion of the 75th Republic Day of India. I am confident that the close bonds of friendship and cooperation between Maldives and India will continue to flourish in the years ahead,” Zameer said.

This is the first time since a Maldivian government representative has posted a message addressing a counterpart since tensions erupted between the two nations over deputy ministers making racial statements insulting Indians and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and leading to a boycott of the travel destination by Indians who flock to the island-nations on vacations.

The spat started when three deputy ministers posted derogatory remarks on social media responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pictures of himself walking and snorkelling in Lakshadweep, the archipelago that looks nearly identical to islands in the Maldives.

They saw it as a move by him to lure tourists away from its famous beaches and island resorts.

Tensions heightened as Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, following a visit to China, expressed intentions to reduce reliance on India for healthcare, medicines and essential imports.

The largest number of tourists who visited Maldives last year were from India but Muizzu said that Chinese visitors had been leading the way before the COVID-19 pandemic. He said steps will be taken to double the number of Chinese tourists. He also falsely accused India of bullying Maldives because of its small size and lauded China for respecting the island-nation’s territorial integrity.