Maldives' Mohamed Muizzu to attend Prime Minister Modi's swearing-in ceremony, his first visit to India

This will mark the pro-China president's first official visit to India since assuming office on November 17 last year

Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu said on Saturday that he would be honoured to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony and his first visit to India for the historic event would demonstrate that bilateral ties are heading in a ”positive direction”.This will mark the pro-China president’s first official visit to India since assuming office on November 17 last year. Unlike his predecessors, who made the first port of call to New Delhi after assuming office, Muizzu had travelled to Turkiye first and to China for his first state visit in January.

Munu Mahawar, High Commissioner of the Republic of India to the Republic of Maldives, presented the letter of invitation to the President during a courtesy call at the President's Office.

At the call, High Commissioner extended greetings from Prime Minister Modi, stating that the Prime Minister is looking forward to have the President attend this momentous ceremony marking his third swearing-in as Prime Minister of India. Munu Mahawar, India’s Higher Commissioner to the Maldives, presented the letter of invitation to the President during a courtesy call at the President’s Office.At the call, the High Commissioner extended greetings from Prime Minister Modi, stating that the Prime Minister is looking forward to having the President attend this momentous ceremony marking his third swearing-in as Prime Minister of India, the statement said.

Mohamed Muizzu expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister for the invitation, adding that he would be honored to attend this historic event. He also stated that he looks forward to working with the Prime Minister to further strengthen the close relations with India, noting that Maldives-India relations is heading in the positive direction, as would be demonstrated by this visit.

I look forward to working together to advance our shared interests in pursuit of shared prosperity and stability for our two countries, Muizzu posted on X.Within hours of his oath in November last year, Muizzu had demanded the removal of 88-odd Indian military personnel from his country, straining bilateral ties. The military personnel were repatriated from three aviation platforms and replaced by civilians from India by the May 10 deadline set by Muizzu.The swearing-in ceremony is expected to witness the presence of top leaders from neighbouring countries, including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, Mauritius, and Seychelles, in addition to the Maldives, as part of India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy.

*With Agency Inputs