Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu is set to make an official visit to India “very soon,” according to Heena Waleed, the chief spokesperson at the President’s Office. The announcement was made during a press conference at the President’s Office on Tuesday afternoon.

While the exact date for the visit has not yet been finalized, discussions are ongoing between Male’ and New Delhi to determine a mutually convenient time for the high-profile trip. “The President is scheduled to visit India very soon. As you are aware, such trips are planned to ensure maximum convenience for the leaders of both nations. Discussions are in progress,” Waleed stated.

Traditionally, Maldivian leaders have chosen India, the country’s closest bilateral partner, for their first official visit. However, President Muizzu, who assumed office in November last year, deviated from this tradition by making his inaugural state visit to Türkiye.

Although President Muizzu attended Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s inauguration for a third term in office in New Delhi on June 9, he has yet to undertake a formal state visit to India. Recent diplomatic exchanges between the two countries have included visits from other senior officials, such as Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer and Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar.

Relations between Maldives and India experienced strains early in President Muizzu’s tenure, particularly following his campaign pledge demanding the withdrawal of Indian troops from the Maldives. Tensions were further exacerbated by controversial social media comments made by three Maldivian deputy ministers regarding India and Prime Minister Modi. The Maldives Foreign Ministry swiftly distanced itself from these remarks, emphasizing that they did not reflect the government’s stance. Two of the suspended deputy ministers, Mariyam Shiuna and Malsha Shareef, resigned earlier today.

Despite these challenges, officials from both Male’ and Delhi have expressed a commitment to strengthening and maintaining positive relations between the two nations.