'That's How India Handles Trust': Shashi Tharoor Praises Modi Govt’s Diplomatic Outreach To Maldives

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has praised India’s diplomatic outreach to the Maldives during a time of strained relations, calling it an example of how regional diplomacy is strengthened through humanitarian assistance and sustained engagement.

Speaking at an event at the Fletcher School, Tharoor recalled how Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu came to power on an “India Out” campaign, and the country experienced a water crisis after the breakdown of a desalination plant in Male. He emphasised that India responded immediately to the crisis without hesitation, leading to an improvement in ties.

“In the last Maldives election, the guy who became president ran on a campaign of ‘India Out’. That was his biggest slogan. Soon after he won, he cancelled

a number of contracts to Indian companies, including renovating his airport, building a causeway and various things. He asked various Indian provisions to leave,” he said.

Using India’s example at @FletcherSchool, Dr @ShashiTharoor explains how trust in foreign policy is ultimately built through action, not just words. pic.twitter.com/BZVziGanQJ

— Office of Dr Shashi Tharoor (@TharoorOffice) May 23, 2026

“A few months into his presidency, the only desalination plant for drinking water in the capital city broke down, and suddenly, the people of Maldives had no water. India sent millions of litres of bottled drinking water. Didn’t do anything else, didn’t ask for anything. It was just a gesture from a next-door neighbour,” he said.

Tharoor asserted that New Delhi’s timely assistance led to a considerable softening of Muizzu’s ‘India Out’ stance, adding, “That’s how India builds trust.”

India-Maldives Relations

Tharoor’s remarks underscored a turbulent period in India-Maldives relations when Muizzu came to power in 2023. Muizzu had campaigned on reducing the influence of India in the island country and later formally requested the withdrawal of Indian military personnel operating aviation platforms gifted by India.

Ties were further strained in 2024 after controversial social media remarks made by some Maldivian ministers against Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the latter’s visit to Lakshadweep. This triggered a diplomatic dispute, with several Indians boycotting tourism to the Maldives.

Despite strained relations, India maintained its diplomatic outreach and development cooperation with the strategically important Indian Ocean nation. After coming to power for a record third term, PM Modi invited Muizzu for the oath-taking ceremony.

In July 2025, PM Modi visited the Maldives, where the two leaders asserted the importance of the relationship and discussed cooperation in defence, maritime security, trade, healthcare and infrastructure. Muizzu described India as the country’s “closest and most trusted partner.”