Amid strained ties, India plans grand welcome for Maldives President.
Relations between India and Maldives have soured since Muizzu took office in November last year. New Delhi: New Delhi is preparing for a grand welcome for all South Asian leaders attending the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday. PM Modi will be sworn in for a record third time on Sunday and several heads of state, including Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, will attend the ceremony.
Relations between India and Maldives have soured since Muizzu took office in November last year.He frequently criticized India and called for the total withdrawal of Indian military personnel during his election campaign. After leaving the nation, all members of the Indian armed forces were replaced by civilians. But India offered a truce by inviting him to PM Modi’s swearing-in ceremony. President Muizzu thanked PM Modi for the invitation and said it would be an honour for him to attend the historic event..
The official statement stated, “He added that Maldives-India relations are moving in a positive direction, as will be demonstrated by this visit, and he looks forward to working with the Prime Minister to further strengthen close ties with India.” The pro-China president will be making his first official trip to India since taking office on November 17 of last year. Unlike his predecessors, who visited New Delhi first after assuming office, Muizzu previously travelled to Turkey and went to China for his first state visit in January. Ahead of his arrival in Delhi, a huge banner has been put up outside the Ministry of External Affairs, carrying photographs of both PM Modi and Muizzu.
