By A Correspondent

Male: Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu and India’s Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu jointly inaugurated the newly redeveloped Hanimaadhoo International Airport on Nov. 10, 2025, marking a major milestone in bilateral cooperation and regional development.

The airport, financed under India’s USD 800 million line of credit through EXIM Bank, is one of the largest infrastructure projects in northern Maldives and a key example of New Delhi’s “Neighbourhood First” and “MAHASAGAR” initiatives.

At the inauguration ceremony, Muizzu described the project as a “catalyst for unlocking the potential of the northern Maldives and enhancing global connectivity,” calling it a “gateway to prosperity.”

He added that the new airport would drive growth in tourism, agriculture, fisheries, and overall economic and social development in the region.

“This is not just an airport; it is a symbol of economic transformation,” Muizzu said, as quoted by the President’s Office. He also acknowledged that the project stood as a testament to the 60 years of diplomatic relations between the Maldives and India.

India’s High Commission in Male hailed the inauguration as a “true vehicle for progress and prosperity,” underlining that the project reflects India’s enduring commitment to the Maldives under its regional outreach strategies.

A Project Once Vilified by Muizzu’s Camp

The ceremony also carried a touch of political irony. The Hanimaadhoo Airport project, originally launched under former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration with Indian assistance, was strongly opposed by Muizzu’s coalition during his time in opposition.

Abdulla Shahid, the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) leader and former Foreign Minister, pointed out that Muizzu’s camp had previously criticised the project as an “Indian military initiative,” alleging that Indian construction workers were “soldiers in disguise.”

Shahid said such rhetoric was used to stoke nationalist sentiment and anti-India narratives. “Every Indian-supported project was politicised to inflame anti-India sentiment, turning international cooperation into a political weapon,” he stated. “Yet, in a striking twist of fate, President Muizzu has now inaugurated the very project his campaign once vilified.”

Built for Global Connectivity and Regional Growth

The redevelopment was undertaken by India’s JMC Projects for USD 136.6 million. The upgraded facility, originally built 39 years ago, previously handled only small aircraft such as ATRs and Dash-8s.

It is now equipped to accommodate Airbus A320s and Boeing 737s, significantly expanding the Maldives’ air capacity with the ability to handle up to 1.3 million passengers annually.

The airport is expected to open up new tourism corridors in the northern atolls, traditionally less developed than the southern and central regions around Male.

For India, it represents another success in fostering infrastructure-led diplomacy in the Indian Ocean, reinforcing its position as a trusted development partner.

Lessons from Earlier Airport Projects

The Hanimaadhoo project also comes in contrast to earlier controversies surrounding the Velana International Airport expansion near Male, where the Maldives had previously terminated a USD 500 million contract with India’s GMR Group in 2012. That move had strained bilateral relations and was seen as a setback for India’s role in Maldivian infrastructure.

In contrast, the smooth completion of Hanimaadhoo Airport under Indian financing demonstrates a renewed phase of trust and pragmatic cooperation between the two nations, even under President Muizzu’s government, which initially pursued a more “India-out” stance.

The Velana International Airport was inaugurated on July 26, 2025, the country’s 60th Independence day, when Muizzu had called the infrastructure “a pillar of economic independence.”

Strengthening Bilateral Engagement

During his visit, Minister Naidu also met the Maldives’ Foreign Minister Dr. Abdulla Khaleel to reaffirm mutual commitment to strengthening bilateral ties. Both sides discussed ways to deepen connectivity, trade, and tourism cooperation, according to Maldives’ state broadcaster PSM News.

Dr. Khaleel expressed appreciation for India’s continued support, while the Indian High Commission described the discussions as “fruitful” and forward-looking.

The Hanimaadhoo International Airport thus stands not just as a new transport hub but as a symbol of regional partnership, political reconciliation, and shared prosperity. It is a project that has turned from a point of contention into a cornerstone of India-Maldives cooperation.

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