The Maldives` new regime is an opportunity for India |
The Maldives and India appear to have struck all the right chords for a much-needed reset of the bilateral relationship as the new government headed by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih assumed office in Male over the weekend. Mr Solih`s swearing-in was immediately followed by a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the only head of state or government to be invited to the ceremony — a clear signal, if any was needed, as to which way the new leadership of the Maldives is leaning. The two countries agreed to focus on the concerns and aspirations of both sides as they work to maintain peace and stability in the Indian Ocean region. Mr Solih spoke of the ``dire economic situation`` facing the Maldives and Mr Modi assured him that the Indian government was prepared to help the archipelago in ``every possible way``. Even before he assumed office, Mr Solih had spoken of an ``India first`` policy, a significant shift away from his predecessor Abdulla Yameen`s tight embrace of China, both for political support in the face of international condemnation of his repressive policies and for financial backing for massive infrastructure projects.
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