Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu extended congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the BJP-led NDA’s third consecutive victory in the Lok Sabha election, amidst strained ties between the two nations. Muizzu, in a message on X (formerly Twitter), expressed anticipation for collaborating with PM Modi to advance mutual interests.

“Congratulations to Prime Minister @narendramodi, and the BJP and BJP-led NDA, on the success in the 2024 Indian General Election, for the third consecutive term. I look forward to working together to advance our shared interests in pursuit of shared prosperity and stability for our two countries,” Muizzu conveyed.

In response, Modi acknowledged Muizzu’s message, emphasizing Maldives’ significance as a partner and neighbor in the Indian Ocean Region, and expressed his readiness for enhanced cooperation to fortify bilateral relations.

The relationship between India and Maldives has faced challenges since Muizzu, perceived to have close ties with China, assumed office last year. His initial actions included the pledge to remove Indian security personnel from Maldives’ maritime border, exacerbating tensions. Earlier this year, the situation deteriorated further due to derogatory remarks from Maldivian ministers targeting India, and ridicule towards PM Modi’s initiatives in Lakshadweep, prompting calls for boycotting the island nation.

Regarding the Lok Sabha election outcome, the BJP secured 240 seats, aiming for a third straight term and a single-party majority, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI). However, the NDA’s total count reached 292 seats, necessitating coalition support to form a government. In contrast, the Congress achieved 99 seats—their best performance since 2009—while the opposition alliance, the INDIA bloc, accumulated 234 seats, as per the ECI.