External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday conveyed his warm wishes to the government and people of the Maldives on the occasion of the nation's 61st Independence Day. In a post on the social media platform X, Jaishankar addressed Maldives Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam directly, writing, "Best wishes to FM @IruthishamAdam, the Government and people of Maldives on their 61st Independence Day." The message was accompanied by the hashtags #NeighbourhoodFirst and #VisionMAHASAGAR, underscoring India's focus on regional cooperation and maritime security.
PM Modi's Historic Visit Marked 60th Anniversary
Last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 60th anniversary celebrations of the Maldives' independence as the Guest of Honour. This marked the first time an Indian Prime Minister participated in the Maldives' Independence Day celebrations. PM Modi was also the first foreign leader at the level of Head of State or Government to be hosted by President Mohamed Muizzu. During the visit, Modi and Muizzu witnessed the Independence Day parade at Republic Square, which featured a lively display by the Maldivian National Defence Force and cultural performances highlighting the country's modern achievements. Modi thanked President Muizzu and the people of the Maldives for the invitation, describing the occasion as a milestone in bilateral relations. The year 2025 also marked 60 years of diplomatic relations between India and the Maldives.
Progress in Free Trade Agreement Negotiations
India and the Maldives have moved closer to signing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) following the successful conclusion of the first round of negotiations. According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the talks were held virtually from June 29 to July 7, 2025. Negotiating teams from both sides engaged in text-based discussions across eight technical sessions covering eight policy areas. The ministry stated, "Both sides made substantive progress across the negotiating tracks and reached broad convergence on several issues." The proposed FTA is expected to strengthen bilateral economic and trade relations by improving market access, facilitating investment, and promoting greater economic cooperation, contributing to sustainable growth in both countries.
Growing Bilateral Trade
India is currently the second-largest trading partner of the Maldives. Bilateral trade between the two nations rose to USD 771.76 million in 2025-26, up from USD 679.70 million in 2024-25, registering a growth of 13.54 percent, as per ministry data. Both sides are working toward a broad-based, balanced, and comprehensive agreement guided by principles of fairness and reciprocity. The FTA is expected to further enhance trade and investment ties in the years ahead.
