Maldives’ Muizzu Arrives For PM Modi’s Swearing-In Ceremony

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu arrived in New Delhi on Sunday for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony.

Leaders from nearby countries and the Indian Ocean region will gather as honoured guests at the swearing-in ceremony which will take place later in the evening.

It is also Muizzu’s first visit to India after he became the island nation’s president on November 17 last year.

The invitation by New Delhi to Muizzu and his acceptance to attend the swearing-in ceremony as an honoured guest is significant because ties between India and Maldives have been frosty of late.

The ties came under severe strain since November last year when Muizzu, who leans towards China and campaigned on the ‘India Out’ plank, took charge as Maldivian president. Few hours after he took his oath as the President of Maldives he demanded the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from his country. The Indian military personnel were replaced by civilians earlier this month.

“President Mohamed Muizzu of Maldives arrives to a warm welcome in New Delhi to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. India and Maldives are maritime partners and close neighbours,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on X, greeting the leader.

Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay are also attending the ceremony.