New Delhi is gearing up to give a warm reception to South Asian leaders gathering for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony on Sunday. Modi is set to embark on his third term, with numerous heads of state, including Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, slated to attend.
Relations between India and the Maldives have soured since Muizzu took office in November last year. Throughout his election campaign, he frequently voiced criticisms against India and called for the complete withdrawal of Indian military personnel.
Since then, all Indian armed forces have exited the Maldives, with civilian personnel now taking their place.
But India extended an olive branch inviting him to the swearing-in ceremony of PM Modi. President Muizzu expressed his gratitude to PM Modi 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 are heading in the positive direction, as would be demonstrated by this visit,” the official release said.
This visit will mark the pro-China president’s inaugural official trip to India since assuming office on November 17 last year. In contrast to his predecessors, who typically made New Delhi their first destination after taking office, Muizzu’s initial state visits were to Turkey and China in January.
Ahead of his arrival in Delhi, a large banner featuring both PM Modi and Muizzu has been erected outside the Foreign Ministry. Posters showcasing PM Modi alongside other Asian leaders attending the event have also been displayed throughout Delhi.
The swearing-in ceremony is anticipated to host leaders from neighbouring nations, including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, Mauritius, and Seychelles, along with the Maldives, in line with India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy.