Former President Mohamed Nasheed, on Sunday, congratulated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as exit polls indicate that his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s coalition will win the Indian general elections.
Nasheed, who maintains close relations with neighbouring India, tweeted that he is sure Maldivians and the Maldivian government will be delighted to continue their close cooperation with the PM and the Indian government.
Indian media revealed that while BJP lost some seats, they won 543 seats of the Indian lower parliamentary house, Lok Sobha, with the support of coalition members.
At least four exit polls show that National Democratic Alliance (NDA), of which BJP is the main party, is estimated to have secured between 287 and 306 seats. Meanwhile, the opposition coalition United Progressive Alliance (UPA), led by Indian National Congress, received 128 to 132 seats.
Relations between India and Maldives were strained during former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom's administration. They were again strengthened by current President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s government, who made his first state visit to India.