Maldivian President Mohammed Muizzu has told the BBC that he is confident that India will come to the aid of the island nation as it faces an economic crisis. Muizzu, who begins a five-day visit to India on Sunday, is expected to seek a bailout worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

As the dramatic improvement in India-Maldives ties in recent months culminated in President Mohamed Muizzu’s first state visit to India that started Sunday, the president told TOI in an exclusive interview that the Maldives would never do anything that undermines the security of India.

Muizzu’s recent comments on India have marked a significant shift from the “India Out” campaign that propelled him into the presidency last year

India notched a cautious six-wicket win over its sub-continent archrival Pakistan for its first points at the Women’s T20 World Cup on Sunday. Pakistan was stifled by fast bowler Arundhati Reddy (3-19) and off-spinner Shreyanka Patil (2-12) to score a modest 105-8 on a slow wicket at the Dubai International Stadium with seasoned Nida Dar top-scoring with 28 off 34 balls.