GLASGOW, Scotland — Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Fitness Abdulla Rafiu has met with India’s Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with discussions focused on expanding cooperation in youth development and sports.
During the meeting, the two ministers discussed introducing further youth exchange and professional upskilling programmes, strengthening the capacity of young people and sports professionals, and collaborating on the development of sports infrastructure in the Maldives.
The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing institutional cooperation and creating additional opportunities for young people and athletes from both countries.
Minister Rafiu expressed appreciation for the continued assistance provided by the Government of India towards the development of the Maldivian sports sector. He highlighted the importance of international partnerships in improving sporting facilities, developing technical expertise and providing young Maldivians with greater opportunities to participate in sports.
Cooperation between the Maldives and India in youth and sports is supported by an existing bilateral framework covering areas such as sports science, sports medicine, coaching techniques, athlete development, youth festivals, training camps and exchanges between sports professionals.
India has also supported plans to strengthen sports infrastructure across the Maldives. Most recently, the two governments signed agreements to provide equipment for fitness and recreation centres in 42 islands under India’s High Impact Community Development Project grant programme. The initiative is expected to expand opportunities for young people, women and island communities to participate in sports and recreational activities.
Bilateral relationship continues to strengthen
Over the past two and a half years, the Maldives–India relationship has increasingly moved towards deeper engagement and practical cooperation, supported by frequent high-level exchanges and development initiatives.
During President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s official visit to India in October 2024, the leaders of the two countries adopted a comprehensive vision for their bilateral relationship. The framework identified sports facilities, schools, skills development, higher education and youth innovation among the priority areas for future cooperation. It also included plans to establish higher education institutions, skills centres and centres of excellence in the Maldives and to develop a start-up incubator and accelerator aimed at harnessing the potential of Maldivian youth.
The relationship gained further momentum during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Maldives in July 2025, when the two countries announced additional development financing and advanced discussions on economic and institutional cooperation.
India has remained an important partner in the development of the Maldives’ education sector as well. Assistance has included educational infrastructure, teacher-development discussions, institutional partnerships and scholarship opportunities for Maldivian students.
Through the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Maldivian students continue to receive opportunities to pursue undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral and technical programmes at Indian universities and institutes.
The Maldives and India have also agreed to strengthen academic linkages, establish skills-development institutions and expand training opportunities based on the Maldives’ national development requirements.
The discussions held in Glasgow are expected to build on this broader partnership by translating existing commitments into youth exchanges, professional training programmes and sports-development projects that directly benefit young Maldivians.
