India said on 23 October that it was keeping a close watch on the agreements signed between the Maldives and Pakistan during President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's state visit to Islamabad, and would take any appropriate steps that may be necessary.

Randhir Jaiswal, official spokesperson of India's Ministry of External Affairs, made the remarks at the ministry's bi-weekly media briefing in New Delhi. He was answering a question, asked in Hindi, about the 20 agreements, which include one on defence, and Muizzu's call to revive SAARC.

"We keep a close watch on such developments and will take whatever appropriate steps may be necessary," Jaiswal said, according to the ministry's official English translation of his reply. He did not say what steps India might take.

On SAARC, he said India was in favour of enhancing connectivity in South Asia, but added that he did not wish to repeat the reasons, or name the country responsible, for the regional body having stalled.

What was signed

According to the President's Office, Muizzu and Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif witnessed the exchange of 20 memoranda of understanding in Islamabad on 21 October, during the 20–22 October state visit.

They include separate MoUs on defence cooperation and on maritime security cooperation, exchanged by Minister of Defence and National Service Hassan Rasheed and Pakistan's Federal Secretary of Defence, Lieutenant General (Retired) Mohamed Ali.

The others cover areas including information technology and cyber security, combating drug trafficking, health and recruitment of health professionals, agriculture, fisheries, education, tourism, air connectivity, police training, the civil service and the environment.

The two leaders pledged to raise bilateral trade from USD 13 million to USD 200 million within two years, and the President's Office said discussions were under way to establish direct flights between the two countries.

At a joint press conference with Sharif, Muizzu said the Maldives "stands ready to work closely with all SAARC Member States" to create the conditions for the next SAARC summit at the earliest opportunity. The bloc has not held a summit since Kathmandu in 2014.

As of 26 October, no official Maldivian government response to the Indian remarks had been published on the President's Office website.