India, July 25 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a grand welcome on the first day of his visit to Maldives, with a 21-gun salute and a ceremonial welcome. Children danced as Modi met with Maldivian ministers and officials at Republic Square. Even his giant photo was displayed on the ministry of defence building in the Maldivian capital Male.

All these grand gestures point to the turnaround of diplomatic ties between the two countries, because Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu was not so welcoming of India when he was elected to the office in 2023.

He came to power on the back of an "India Out" campaign in late 2023. Later, he sought to get close to China. Later, some members of his government made disrespectful remarks against I...