Maldives President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s visit to India has been a whirlwind of high-profile meetings and symbolic gestures aimed at rebuilding ties. The tour began with a crucial meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during which both leaders announced key agreements, including a controversial decision to establish an Indian consulate in Addu City and a USD 400 million currency swap deal.

Muizzu’s message to Indian leaders, including the Vice President and ruling party heads, was clear: despite past rhetoric, the Maldives will remain a reliable partner. The grand state banquet held in his honor was a stark contrast to the previous anti-India sentiments expressed by his own ministers.

The visit wasn’t all politics. A stop at the iconic Taj Mahal added a personal touch to the trip, with President Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed seen smiling and enjoying the historic site. Later in Mumbai, he pitched the Maldives as a Bollywood shooting location to Indian film stars like Shilpa Shetty and Sonakshi Sinha, showcasing his vision to boost tourism.

The visit’s success will be measured by how well Muizzu can balance warming up to India while maintaining his standing back home, where the shadow of the “India Out” campaign still lingers.