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PM to attend swearing-in ceremony of Maldives President-elect on Nov 17


Date:- 09 Nov 2018


In his first visit to Maldives, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Ibrahim Solih next week.

Despite all odds, Solih won the September elections that saw people in the small island nation fight the dictatorial approach of outgoing President Yameen. Solih was the joint Opposition candidate and a close relative of exiled former President Nasheed who has now returned to Maldives. New Delhi breathed a sigh of relief as pro-China and anti-India Yameen was democratically ousted by voters.

India has now confirmed that Modi will be present at the oath-taking ceremony on November 17 at the National Stadium in Male. “The Prime Minister has accepted the invitation with pleasure. In keeping with our ‘neighbourhood first’ policy, India looks forward to closely work with Maldives in further deepening our partnership. The PM will return to New Delhi on the same night,” said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar.

Solih’s spokesperson Mariya Didi welcomed the announcement and tweeted, “We look forward to a new era of friendship and co-operation with India in the years ahead.”

Maldives is the only South Asian country that PM Modi since riding to power in 2014 has not visited. His planned trip in 2015 was called off following political turmoil in the country leading to arrest and prosecution of Nasheed.

According to sources, Modi initially planned a bilateral visit to Maldives only after the Solih government took charge of office. But following the invitation extended on September 24, the swearing-in ceremony was considered an important occasion for India to send out message of support to the new Maldivian government. “The Prime Minister’s visit is not a bilateral visit to Maldives,” underlined Raveesh.

Ties between Male and Delhi soured since February this year when Yameen imposed emergency and arrested Opposition leaders and judges. India now hopes there will be a reset of relations with the archipelago nation. After Modi dialled Solih to congratulate him on his stunning election victory, local media quoted the Incoming President as saying, “I told him that India is always the closest ally to Maldives, and guaranteed that it will remain that way.”

Sources in Male said only heads of states and governments of India and Sri Lanka were invited for the occasion. But with Colombo plunged in deep political crisis, Modi is likely to be the only foreign leader attending Solih’s inaugural ceremony.

Courtesy: Tribune: 9 Nov 2018