India has stepped up its development assistance to the Maldives after the two leaders held talks in New Delhi in a bid to repair strained ties that saw the president of the Indian Ocean archipelago forging closer relations with China.

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu was given a red carpet welcome on his first state visit to India Monday, a trip aimed at repairing frail ties between the South Asian neighbours.

How did India- Maldives ties deteriorate? His pro- China stance was cemented by his pre-poll promise to replace Indian soldiers stationed in the Maldives, initially deployed for humanitarian support.