New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has officially confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the Chief Guest at the Maldives’ Independence Day celebrations on July 26, 2025.
This significant diplomatic visit comes amidst a period of efforts to strengthen bilateral ties between India and the island nation.
According to statements from the MEA, Prime Minister Modi will undertake a state visit to the Maldives from July 25 to 26, at the invitation of Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. The visit is particularly notable as it coincides with the 60th anniversary of Maldives’ independence and the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
During his visit, Prime Minister Modi and President Muizzu are scheduled to hold high-level discussions on key bilateral and regional issues. The agenda is also expected to include the inauguration of several joint projects and the exchange of various Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at deepening cooperation across diverse sectors of mutual interest.
The MEA emphasized that the visit underscores the importance India attaches to its maritime neighbor, the Maldives, which continues to hold a special place in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and Vision SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region).
This will be Prime Minister Modi’s first visit to the Maldives since assuming his third term and his third overall visit to the island nation. It also marks the first visit by an Indian Head of State or Government during President Muizzu’s administration, making it a crucial engagement for both nations to further cement their relationship.
The Maldives gained independence from British rule on July 26, 1965, and the celebrations this year are anticipated to be particularly grand, marking the diamond jubilee of their sovereignty.
