India offers financial support to Maldives after talks to repair ties

NEW DELHI (AP) — India stepped up its development assistance to the Maldives after the two leaders held talks in New Delhi on Monday in a bid to repair strained ties that saw the president of the Indian Ocean archipelago forging closer relations with China.

After the talks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India will offer financial support to the cash-strapped Maldives in form of a $100-million treasury bills rollover. The countries also signed a $400-million currency swap agreement.

The two leaders virtually inaugurated a new runway of Hanimaadhoo International Airport in the Maldives, and Modi announced that work will be accelerated on the India-assisted Greater Male Connectivity Project, which aims to link key islands of the Maldives through modern transport networks.

“India is Maldives’ nearest neighbour and a close friend,” Modi said during a joint news conference. He said the Maldives held an important position in India's “neighbourhood first policy.”

Tensions between India and the Maldives have grown since President Mohamed Muizzu, who favors closer ties with China, was elected last year after defeating India-friendly incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. Leading up to the election, Muizzu had promised to expel Indian soldiers deployed in the Maldives to help with humanitarian assistance. In May, New Delhi replaced dozens of its soldiers with civilian experts.

In January, Maldivian leaders lashed out at Modi for promoting India’s Lakshadweep archipelago for Indian travelers. Lakshadweep is off the southwestern coast of the Indian mainland.

Maldivians saw the move as a way to lure Indian tourists away from their country. It sparked angry protests from Indian celebrities who called for a tourism boycott to the Maldives. Tourism is the mainstay of the Maldives’ economy.

The dispute deepened when Muizzu visited China ahead of India in January, a move seen by New Delhi as a snub. On his return, Muizzu spelled out plans to rid his tiny nation of dependence on India for health facilities, medicines and import of staples.

A thaw ensued after Muizzu attended Modi’s June swearing-in ceremony in New Delhi for a third five-year term. Since then, Muizzu has toned down his anti-Indian rhetoric, and official-level contacts have intensified with New Delhi as concerns rose that the Maldives could be staring at an economic crisis.

“India is a key partner in the socio-economic and infrastructure development of the Maldives and has stood by the Maldives during our times of need,” Muizzu said after the meeting. He said the currency swap agreement “will be instrumental in addressing the foreign exchange issues we are facing right now.”

Muizzu will also hold meetings with senior Indian officials during his five-day visit.

Regional powers India and China compete for influence in the archipelago nation, which is strategically located in the Indian Ocean.

For decades, India has been a critical provider of development assistance to the Maldives. Meanwhile, the Maldives joined China’s Belt and Road Initiative to build ports and highways and expand trade as well as China’s influence across Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Muizzu’s visit is essential for Modi, who is facing a challenging time in neighborhood diplomacy with Marxist politician Anura Kumara Dissanayake taking over as Sri Lanka’s president and India-friendly Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fleeing to India in August after being forced to resign by students-led protests. Nepal also elected pro-China K.P. Sharma Oli as its prime minister.

This story has been corrected to show that the leaders virtually inaugurated a new runway of Hanimaadhoo International Airport.

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu along with First Lady of Maldives Sajidha Mohamed pay tributes at Rajghat, a Mahatma Gandhi memorial, in New Delhi, India, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. (AP Photo)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, walks with Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu before their delegation level meeting in New Delhi, India, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. (AP Photo)

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu , second from left, along with First Lady of Maldives Sajidha Mohamed left, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, and Indian President Droupadi Murmu, second from right stand during a ceremonial reception for Muizzu at the Indian presidential palace, in New Delhi, India, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. (AP Photo)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, and Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu shake hands before their delegation level meeting in New Delhi, India, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024.(AP Photo)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, left, shakes hand with Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, second from left, as Indian President Droupadi Murmu, second from right, shakes hand with First Lady of Maldives Sajidha Mohamed during a ceremonial reception for Muizzu at the Indian presidential palace, in New Delhi, India, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. (AP Photo)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, walks with Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu before their delegation level meeting in New Delhi, India, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. (AP Photo)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, walks with Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu before their delegation level meeting in New Delhi, India, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024.(AP Photo)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, along with Indian President Droupadi Murmu, left, greets Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, second from right, and First Lady of Maldives Sajidha Mohamed during a ceremonial reception for Muizzu at the Indian presidential palace, in New Delhi, India, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024.(AP Photo)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, and Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu shake hands before their delegation level meeting in New Delhi, India, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. (AP Photo)

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, second from left, along with with First Lady of Maldives Sajidha Mohamed left, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, and Indian President Droupadi Murmu, second from right stand walk during a ceremonial reception for Muizzu at the Indian presidential palace, in New Delhi, India, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. (AP Photo)

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu , second from left, along with with First Lady of Maldives Sajidha Mohamed left, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, and Indian President Droupadi Murmu, second from right stand during a ceremonial reception for Muizzu at the Indian presidential palace, in New Delhi, India, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. (AP Photo)

MAGDEBURG, Germany (AP) — Germany on Saturday was still in shock and struggling to understand the suspect behind the attack in the city of Magdeburg.

Identified by local media as 50-year-old Taleb A., a psychiatry and psychotherapy specialist, authorities said he has been living in Germany for two decades. He was arrested on site after plowing a black BMW into a Christmas market crowded with holiday shoppers Friday evening, killing at least five people and wounding about 200 others.

Prominent German terrorism expert Peter Neumann posted on X that he had yet to come across a suspect in an act of mass violence with that profile.

Taleb’s X account is filled with tweets and retweets focusing on anti-Islam themes and criticism of the religion while sharing congratulatory notes to Muslims who left the faith. He also described himself as a former Muslim.

He was critical of German authorities, saying they had failed to do enough to combat the “Islamism of Europe.”

He has also voiced support for the far-right and anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.

Some described Taleb as an activist who helped Saudi women flee their homeland. Recently, he seemed focused on his theory that German authorities have been targeting Saudi asylum seekers.

Neumann, the terrorism expert, wrote: “After 25 years in this ‘business’ you think nothing could surprise you anymore. But a 50-year-old Saudi ex-Muslim who lives in East Germany, loves the AfD and wants to punish Germany for its tolerance towards Islamists — that really wasn’t on my radar."

A person stands by flowers and candles placed outside St. John's Church near a Christmas Market, where a car drove into a crowd on Friday evening, in Magdeburg, Germany, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)