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.

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,