Maldivian President Muizzu to Attend Third Modi Coalition Government Swearing-In Ceremony

External Affairs

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has accepted the invitation to attend Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony on Sunday

Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu announced his acceptance of the invitation to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi's coalition government swearing-in ceremony, stating that his visit would signify strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations. President Muizzu’s office confirmed that he will be present at the historic event scheduled for June 9, marking Modi’s third consecutive term as Prime Minister.

“President Muizzu has accepted the invitation to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Modi and the Council of Ministers of the Government of India,” his office stated. The invitation was extended by India’s High Commissioner to the Maldives, Munu Mahawar, during a courtesy call at the President's Office. The High Commissioner conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Modi and expressed that the Prime Minister is looking forward to President Muizzu's attendance at the ceremony. President Muizzu expressed his gratitude for the invitation and highlighted the importance of this visit in reinforcing the positive direction of Maldives-India relations.

Although President Muizzu’s office did not specify his departure date for India, his participation will mark his first official visit to India since taking office on November 17 last year. This visit is notable as Muizzu, unlike his predecessors who prioritized visits to New Delhi, initially traveled to Turkiye and later to China for his first state visit in January. President Muizzu's earlier actions, such as demanding the removal of 88 Indian military personnel from the Maldives immediately after his swearing-in, had strained bilateral relations. However, the military personnel were repatriated and replaced by civilians from India by the May 10 deadline set by President Muizzu.

On Wednesday, President Muizzu congratulated PM Modi on his election victory via a post on X (formerly Twitter), expressing his eagerness to collaborate on advancing shared interests for mutual prosperity and stability. “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,” he wrote. The swearing-in ceremony is expected to be attended by leaders from neighboring countries including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, Mauritius, and Seychelles, reflecting India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy.

In addition to Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, several other leaders are set to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony. These leaders include Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Seychelles Vice President Ahmed Afif, Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, and Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay.

Following the ceremony, the leaders will participate in a banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday evening, according to a statement.

On the latest update on 09:00 AM 09 June 2024, from MEA India, The President of the Maldives arrived in New Delhi to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the third NDA coalition government.


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