‘We Always Knew India Is…’: Maldives’ U-Turn On India After Modi-Muizzu Ink Big Deal

From leading the fiery ‘India Out’ campaign to calling India a “trusted friend,” Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu’s stunning U-turn has shocked many. Standing beside Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Malé, Muizzu praised India’s role in regional development after both leaders signed a major bilateral deal. The dramatic reversal—from branding India a bully to recognising its leadership—marks a new chapter in Maldives-India relations, underscoring the power of diplomacy, strategic interests, and shifting geopolitical realities in the Indian Ocean.