SOUTH Asia's regional politics might see new equations emerging ever since a diplomatic row started between India and the Maldives after the latter's new president exhibited clearly his intention to keep New Delhi at a distance.
After Mohamed Muizzu showed that he was more than interested to prioritise China at India's expense, Pakistan, another regional rival of India, has also jumped into the scene to reach out to the Indian Ocean archipelago. Also, this happened after India announced a cut in aid to the Maldives in its annual budget.
Despite his poll-bound country facing a serious economic hardship, Pakistan's caretaker prime minister Anwar-ul-Haaq Kakar on Thursday (1) held a telephonic talk with Muizzu to fortify bilateral ties between the two countries, located more than 3,000 kilometres apart.
According to a press release from the Maldivian president's office, Muizzu has "been assured of the support of the Pakistani government to address the pressing development needs of the Maldives".
The two leaders discussed the top priorities for the two countries and spoke about enhancing cooperation in the international arena.
Kakar also conveyed his support and assistance to the Maldives’ efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change, the release said.
The Maldives established diplomatic relations with Pakistan on July 26, 1966.
The development took place after India proposed to slash aid to the island-nation by 22 per cent for the 2024-25 fiscal in its interim budget that finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented on Thursday.
The Maldives were allocated Rs 600 crore (£57 million) for developmental assistance -- the third highest in aid to foreign countries by the Narendra Modi government.
In 2023-24, the Maldives was given Rs 770.90 crore (£73.3 million) as aid, an increase of more than 300 per cent from the Rs 183.16 crore (£17.4 million) granted in the fiscal before.
In fact, New Delhi has reduced its overall allocation of aid to all foreign countries for the forthcoming fiscal by 10 per cent. It allocated Rs 4,883.56 crore (£464.6 million) as aid to foreign nations for 2024-25, less than Rs 5,426.78 crore (£516.2 million) it had budgeted in 2023-24.
(With PTI inputs)
A rescuer assists a resident through heavy mud following flash floods on August 27, 2026 in Trishuli, Nepal. A sudden flood swept through the Bhote Koshi River basin in northern Rasuwa on August 26, damaging settlements, roads and energy infrastructure as rescue teams searched for residents and foreign travellers reported out of contact. Hundreds were reported missing, as the death toll started to climb.Getty Images
Rescue personnel provide medical treatment to a child at an army rescue camp in Trishuli Batar, Nepal, on August 27, 2026. A sudden flood swept through the Bhote Koshi River basin in northern Rasuwa on August 26, damaging settlements, roads and energy infrastructure, as rescue teams searched for residents and foreign travellers reported out of contact. Hundreds were reported missing as the death toll began to climb. Getty Ima
Family members of missing flood victims react at the emergency ward of the Maharajgunj Medical Campus, part of the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, on August 28, 2026 in Kathmandu, Nepal. Authorities said the flash floods were triggered after a mass of ice, mud and rock collapsed into a Himalayan river near the Nepal-China border, leaving hundreds dead or missing and causing widespread damage in affected districts. Authorities continued the gruelling search for victims, many buried under metres of mud, as both China and Nepal issued fresh flooding alerts.Getty Images
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