India's High Commissioner to the Maldives, G Balasubramanian, spoke exclusively to NDTV about the steady turnaround in bilateral relations - and the road ahead.

"Talked about the deep-rooted India-Maldives friendship, including the close relationship between our respective Parliaments," Modi said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to enhance India's development partnership with the Maldives in a two-day visit this week to the Indian Ocean archipelago, where India competes with China for influence.