Indian Envoy Arrives in Maldives for Hanimaadhoo Airport Opening
India’s Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu (L), arriving in the Maldives on November 9, 2025 | Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
An official representative of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in the Maldives to attend the opening of Hanimaadhoo International Airport.
India’s Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, is visiting the Maldives as Modi’s special envoy. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not provide further details, but confirmed on X that Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel welcomed Naidu upon arrival.
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It is believed the Indian envoy is in the country to attend the official opening of Hanimaadhoo International Airport tonight. Although the terminal has been operational since last month, the formal inauguration will take place this evening, attended by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and senior government officials.
Special Envoy of the Prime Minister of India, Minister of Civil Aviation H.E Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu @RamMNK has arrived in Maldives on an official visit. He was received at the airport by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Abdulla Khaleel @abkhaleel @MoCA_GoI @HCIMaldives pic.twitter.com/km9lWnSAim— Ministry of Foreign Affairs 🇲🇻 (@MoFAmv) November 9, 2025
The redevelopment of Hanimaadhoo International Airport is one of the largest infrastructure projects in the Maldives. Funded under a USD 800 million line of credit from India’s EXIM Bank, the project was awarded to India’s JMC Projects for USD 136.6 million.
The upgraded airport includes a 2,400-metre runway, a 42,000 square feet apron, a 10,500 square feet passenger terminal, a 3,800 square feet air traffic control tower, and a fuel jetty. The completed terminal is projected to be able to accommodate up to 1.3 million passengers annually.
