President Mohamed Muizzu met with Indian President Droupadi Murmu on Monday at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Both leaders emphasised the importance of working together for the development and prosperity of both nations.
President Murmu noted that President Muizzu’s presence at the swearing-in ceremony on such short notice demonstrates both countries’ confidence in their bilateral ties, according to the Maldives’ President’s Office.
President Murmu also highlighted the Indian government’s “Neighbourhood First Policy,” expressing eagerness to contribute to development assistance for the Maldives. President Muizzu thanked President Murmu for their hospitality and expressed gratitude for India’s continuous assistance to the Maldives.
The President’s Office said in its statement that he committed to preserving the close and historic ties with India and conveyed his desire to further strengthen the existing relations between the two countries.
Later on Monday, President Muizzu met with India’s Union Minister Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. Jaishankar also served as the External Affairs Minister in Prime Minister Modi’s previous administration.
The meeting focused on bilateral collaboration, with President Muizzu and Minister Jaishankar expressing their eagerness to strengthen cooperation in shared values and mutual interest, the Maldives’ President’s Office said in a statement.
At the meeting, President Muizzu thanked Prime Minister Modi and the Government of India for their ongoing assistance to the Maldives. Minister Jaishankar expressed gratitude for President Muizzu’s participation in the swearing-in event. President Muizzu and Minister Jaishankar concluded the meeting by reaffirming their commitment to boosting Maldives-India collaboration in the coming years.
On Sunday evening, President Muizzu attended the official banquet hosted by President Murmu, in honour of the leaders of neighbouring countries attending Prime Minister Modi’s swearing-in ceremony.
President Muizzu arrived in the Indian capital, New Delhi, Sunday morning to attend Prime Minister Modi’s inauguration at the invitation of the Prime Minister. The banquet followed the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Modi and the Council of Ministers of India.
At the banquet, Prime Minister Modi interacted with all heads of state and government.