Following Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu's visit to Pakistan, the debate on relations with India has intensified. Learn about the 20 agreements, India's response, and opposition concerns.

Muizzu receives warning regarding PM Modi.

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has visited Pakistan. His growing closeness with Pakistan is creating a difficult diplomatic situation for him. Meanwhile, opposition leaders, including former President Mohamed Nasheed, have warned that Muizzu's inclination toward Islamabad could strain relations with India, the Maldives' closest neighbor.

This is the first visit by a Maldivian president to Pakistan in 11 years, sparking a political debate over Male's foreign policy. Opposition leaders have questioned whether Muizzu is jeopardizing the country's security and long-standing partnership with India.

Former Maldives President alleges

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) President Nasheed accused Muizzu of recklessly dragging the Maldives into the long-standing tensions between India and Pakistan. Maldivian news outlet Sun Online reported that Nasheed said, "Small countries, especially the Maldives, face many serious risks. Despite this, President Muizzu visited Pakistan without proper consideration and once again placed the Maldives at the centre of the disputes between India and Pakistan." The former president's warning was stern. He said, "If India feels its security is being compromised, it will have very bad consequences for the Maldives."

Questions raised over Muizzu's visit to Pakistan

Other Maldivian opposition leaders also questioned and criticized Muizzu's visit to Pakistan. Former Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid alleged that Muizzu would resume the same anti-India campaign as he did in 2023. Former President Abdulla Yameen also questioned Pakistan's decision to confer an honorary doctorate on Muizzu during this visit. Muizzu's three-year visit to Pakistan from October 20 to 22 coincided with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries and resulted in the signing of 20 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering sectors ranging from healthcare and education to trade, agriculture, cybersecurity, defense, and maritime security.