Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Maldives Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef on Saturday, where the two leaders held discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in key sectors including infrastructure, technology, climate change, and energy.
PM Modi described the meeting as a fruitful interaction, reflecting the enduring partnership between India and the Maldives. “Had a very good meeting with Vice President Uz. Hussain Mohamed Latheef. Our discussion touched upon key pillars of the India-Maldives friendship… We look forward to deepening this partnership in the years to come,” PM Modi posted on X.
The meeting comes as part of PM Modi’s official visit to the island nation, where he was invited by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu to attend the country’s 60th Independence Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour.
During a banquet hosted in his honour on Friday, PM Modi emphasised the deep-rooted historical and cultural ties between the two nations. “India-Maldives relations are centuries old. We are neighbours, partners and true friends who stand together in times of need,” he said, reiterating the Maldives’ special place in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy.
President Muizzu lauded India as the Maldives’ “closest and most trusted partner” and praised PM Modi’s leadership. “Our collaboration spans a wide range of areas, from security and trade to healthcare, education and beyond,” he noted.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri described the visit as “very timely and productive,” highlighting that both countries reviewed the India-Maldives Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership, and agreed to implement and expand on its various components.
On Friday, India and the Maldives signed eight significant agreements, covering sectors like Line of Credit extension, debt repayment, fisheries, digital transformation, and adoption of India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in the Maldives—marking a step forward in their growing digital and economic cooperation.