Male, July 25 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was deeply touched by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu’s gesture of personally receiving him today at the airport.
Expressing confidence in the growing bilateral ties, Modi said he believes the India-Maldives friendship will reach new heights of progress in the coming times.
“Landed in Malé. Deeply touched by the gesture of President Muizzu to come to the airport to welcome me. I am confident that India-Maldives friendship will scale new heights of progress in the times to come,” PM Modi posted on X.
In another post, the Prime Minister said, “Malé is awake. I am very happy to arrive at the airport to be welcomed by President Muizzu. I am confident that the coming days will witness the India-Maldives partnership reaching new milestones.”
Meanwhile, the Maldivian President’s Office also issued a statement on the visit. In a post on X, it said:“The Prime Minister of India, His Excellency Shri Narendra Modi, arrives in the Maldives on a state visit at the invitation of His Excellency President Dr. Muizzu. This historic visit is Prime Minister Modi’s first to the Maldives since assuming his third term, and coincides with the 60th anniversary of the Maldives’ independence, as well as the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Maldives and India.”
He will be the guest of honour at the Maldives’ 60th Independence Day celebrations, which also mark six decades of diplomatic ties between the two nations.
PM Modi’s visit marks the second leg of his two-nation tour, following his high-level diplomatic engagements in the United Kingdom.
PM Modi’s two-day state visit to the Maldives is being seen as a significant step towards a diplomatic reset between India and the Maldives, especially following a period of strained ties after President Muizzu assumed office in November 2023.
The trip also holds special symbolic value, as the Prime Minister will be the guest of honour at the Maldives’ 60th Independence Day celebrations in the capital, Malé, on July 26.
This is the first high-level visit by an Indian leader since Muizzu’s election and also the first state visit being hosted by the new Maldivian president.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said, “The Maldives is a close and important partner under India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and the MAHASAGAR vision — Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.”
During the visit, Prime Minister Modi will hold bilateral talks with President Muizzu, focusing on key areas such as strategic cooperation, economic engagement, and maritime security.
The two sides will also review the implementation of the India-Maldives Joint Vision for a Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership, which was finalised last year and now serves as the cornerstone of their bilateral relationship.
