India, July 29 -- Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi visit to the Maldives recently as the guest of honour at the island nation's independence day holds significance on multiple fronts. First and foremost, the State visit brings a diplomatic score for India, following Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu's anti-India electoral campaign. Gradually restoring warmth in Delhi-Male is crucial, particularly as ties with close neighbour like Bangladesh have altered over time since a year. The success of Modi's visit to Male is notably outcome-oriented, coming at a time when his neighbourhood first policy gets questioned over cooling relations with neighbours.

Second, the archipelagic nation remains an irreplaceable strategic partner and the both na...