Maldives President Muizzu Accepts Invitation To PM Modi's Swearing-In, Says 'Honoured To Attend This Historic Event'

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has accepted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s invitation to attend the swearing-in ceremony of India’s Council of Ministers, scheduled to be held on Sunday. In a statement released by his office, Muizzu said he would be honoured to attend this historic event.

As part of India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, leaders from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, Mauritius, and Seychelles have also been invited to the ceremony. Muizzu accepted the invite after the Indian High Commissioner presented a letter to the Maldivan President during a courtesy call at the President’s Office.

‘Historic event’

“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,” the Maldives’ President’s Office said in a statement.

“The President expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister for the invitation, adding that he would be honoured 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,” it added.

Muizzu Congrats Modi

Local media reports earlier said President Muizzu is likely to leave for New Delhi on Saturday for the ceremony accompanied by several other senior government officials. On Wednesday, Muizzu had congratulated Modi and voiced his desire to work with the Indian prime minister to advance the bilateral ties.

“Congratulations to Prime Minister @narendramodi and the BJP and BJP-led NDA, on the success in the 2024 Indian General Election, for the third consecutive term. “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. This marks the pro-China president’s first official visit to India since assuming office in last November.

Muizzu had travelled to Turkiye first and to China for his first state visit in January. Shortly after assuming power, Muizzu 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.

(With agency inputs)