Modi's visit to boost Indian tourist to Maldives: Nasheed

Former President Mohamed Nasheed has expressed optimism that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to the Maldives will help boost tourist arrivals from India.

Modi is scheduled to arrive in Maldives next Friday as part of a two-day state visit.

In an interview with Asian News International (ANI), Nasheed noted that the development of the Hanimaadhoo International Airport, funded through an Indian line of credit will significantly improve travel connectivity for Indian tourists.

“The development and opening of the airport will be a great convenience for Indian tourists visiting the Maldives, especially as it lies just an hour away from cities in southern India,” Nasheed said. “Maldives will always welcome the friendly people of India.”

The Hanimaadhoo airport project is one of the largest infrastructure initiatives currently underway in Maldives. It is being constructed by India’s Kalpatharu Projects and is scheduled for completion by September. The project is financed under an $800 million line of credit from India’s EXIM Bank, with USD 136 million (MVR 2 billion) allocated specifically for the airport.

Hanimaadhoo Airport: 83 percent completed, project set to conclude in July

Once completed, the upgraded airport will feature a new 2.7-kilometer runway, a passenger terminal capable of handling 1.3 million passengers annually, a new air traffic control tower, a cargo facility, and a fuel farm. The infrastructure will be capable of accommodating large international aircraft.

“I believe the number of Indian tourists will increase with the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Nasheed added, noting that a strong bilateral relationship would continue to benefit both nations. Nasheed has long maintained close ties with India and has been a vocal supporter of Maldives–India relations.

Before recent diplomatic tensions, India was the Maldives’ largest source market for tourism. Relations between the two countries have since normalized, and Indian arrivals are once again on the rise.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi posted on social media platform X, saying he is proud to participate in celebrations marking the Maldives’ 60th Independence Day. He also highlighted the 60th anniversary of India–Maldives diplomatic relations, which were established on November 1.

Modi expressed confidence that his upcoming visit would further strengthen the close and historic ties between India and the Maldives.

An honor to take part in Maldives 60th Independence Day celebrations: Modi