President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, upon invitation of the Indian government had departed to New Delhi, India last night. He was received with a warm welcome upon his arrival.
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has received a warm welcome upon his arrival at New Delhi to attend the oath taking ceremony of Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and Council of Ministers.
The Prime Minister's oath taking is scheduled to take place this evening.
The President had flown to India last night with an accompanying high level delegation after accepting the invitation extended to him by the Indian government, seeking his presence at Prime Minister Modi's oath taking ceremony for his third consecutive term.
India's Ministry of External Affairs said on Saturday that invitations were extended to the ceremony while prioritizing leaders of countries in the region under the 'Neighborhood First Policy' and 'SAGAR Vision'.
Indian media outlets report that a large banner was hung outside the country's Foreign Ministry headquarters to welcome President Muizzu. The banner featured a picture of President Muizzu and Prime Minister Modi with the inscription, 'Welcome to India'.
A special entertainment activity was also held at the airport to commemorate President Muizzu's arrival.
The President was welcomed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport by the Secretary (West) of Indian Ministry of External Affairs, Pavan Kapoor, High Commissioner of Maldives to India, Ibrahim Shaheeb and High Commissioner of India to the Maldives, Munu Mahawar.
In addition to President Muizzu, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Seychelles Vice President Ahmed Afeef, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay are also expected to attend the ceremony.
Although ties between Maldives and India had strained following the request to remove Indian troops established Maldives, diplomatic relations between the two countries has now notably improved. With Modi's election into a third term, the messages exchanged between the Prime Minister and President Muizzu had also emphasized the dependency each country holds over the other as well as the need to fortify relations between the two countries.
This ongoing trip is President Muizzu's first visit to India since he was sworn into office on November 17 last year.
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