New Delhi

Maldives Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer is set to visit India, likely on May 9, marking a significant diplomatic engagement between the two countries. This visit will be the first high-level visit by a senior official from the Muizzu government to India since the government assumed office in November last year. 

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Talks during this visit are expected to play a crucial role in resetting the bilateral ties, which have been frosty in recent months. The meeting between Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer and Minister Jaishankar is expected to set the tone for future engagements, and how both sides can work together on several issues, including India's infrastructure development projects in the country. 

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Under the Muizzu government, relations with India have experienced strain due to a noticeable pro-China stance, anti-India comments by ministers of the government and calls for the removal of Indian troops involved in humanitarian assistance within the Maldives. 

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External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and Minister Moosa had in-person talks on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit in Kampala in January. 

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They have also engaged on social media regarding India's decision to renew quotas to enable the Maldives to import essential commodities from India for the years 2024 and 2025 with New Delhi restating its "neighbourhood first policy".

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Traditionally, when a new government assumes power in the Maldives, a visit by the President to India soon follows to reaffirm Male's "India first" policy. However, in a departure from this norm, President Muizzu's initial foreign visits included trips to Turkey, the UAE, and China.