Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks on Monday, with New Delhi promising to strengthen strategic cooperation as the island nation recovers from an economic crisis.

He agreed to open an Indian consulate and endorsed an India-funded military harbor — projects he previously opposed as they allegedly threatened Maldivian sovereignty.

How did India- Maldives ties deteriorate? His pro- China stance was cemented by his pre-poll promise to replace Indian soldiers stationed in the Maldives, initially deployed for humanitarian support.