India-Maldives relations are centuries-old, we are neighbours, partners and true friends: PM Modi

Male: Highlighting the depth of the bilateral ties between India and Maldives, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday here that the relationship between both the countries is centuries-old, adding that “we are neighbours, partners, and true friends who stand together in times of need”.

“As I have said before — Maldives holds a special place in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’… This is not just diplomacy but a relation of deep affinity,” PM Modi said.

Prime Minister Modi also expressed his gratitude and reflected upon the celebration of six decades of deep friendship between India and Maldives during an official banquet hosted in his honour by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu in Male.

The Prime Minister said: “Last year, the President (Mohamed Muizzu) visited India on a State Visit. Now, I have received the opportunity to be the first State Guest of his tenure.”

Marking the significance of the occasion, he added, “Arriving here as the Guest of Honour on the 60th Independence Day of the Maldives is an honour for me. For this invitation, I express my gratitude to the President. On behalf of all the people of India, I extend heartfelt greetings to the people of the Maldives.”

He noted that this visit comes at a symbolic moment for both nations.

“This year, the 60th anniversary of India-Maldives relations is also being celebrated. This happy coincidence — the 60th Independence Day of the Maldives and the 60th anniversary of India-Maldives relations — has made my visit even more special,” PM Modi said.

Underscoring the civilisational and cultural bonds, he remarked, “Our shared heritage is as old as the monsoon and as sweet as Addu Bondi. Our languages reflect the depth of our culture. Several words in Dhivehi have come from India… Our tastes are also similar… Absolutely perfect despite being different.”

PM Modi also emphasised the strength of people-to-people ties between the two countries, saying, “The loving relations that have been formed between the people of our two nations for centuries are ever strong even today… Your tourist number 10 lakh this year turned out to be an Indian.”

“Our two nations are colleagues of the Global South. Be it infrastructure or capacity building, in every turn of the journey of development in Maldives, India has been a true partner and co-passenger. Now, we should go ahead on trade, security and sustainable development. India and Maldives’ relations are based on the foundation of trust and thrive on goodwill. Today, we have reiterated our commitment to its bright future,” he said.

“It is an honour for me to attend as the Guest of Honour on the 60th Independence Day of the Maldives. I express my gratitude to the President for this invitation. And on behalf of all Indians, I extend heartfelt congratulations to the people of the Maldives,” PM Modi added.

“This year marks 60 years of diplomatic relations between the Maldives and India, a milestone that reflects not only our shared history but also the depth and resilience of our partnership. Yet, the bond between our people predates diplomatic formalities. For centuries, the Indian Ocean has been a witness to our shared journey. As traders, travellers and neighbours we exchanged goods, stories and ideas across these waters for centuries. It is the same ocean that unites us today with ties that no tide can break,” said President Muizzu as he congratulated PM Modi for becoming the second longest consecutive serving PM of India.

Speaking at the official banquet hosted in honour of PM Modi during his two-day visit to the Maldives, Muizzu praised the Prime Minister’s leadership.

In attendance at the state banquet were the Maldivian Vice President Uz Hussain Mohamed Latheef; the Speaker of the People’s Majlis, Abdul Raheem Abdulla; Special Envoy of the President Mohamed Waheed Hassan and India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, together with senior officials of the government of Maldives and distinguished members of the visiting Indian delegation, the Maldivian President’s Office said in a press statement.

This historic visit is Prime Minister Modi’s first trip to the Maldives since assuming his third term in office.

–IANS