PM Modi Greets Maldives President Muizzu On Eid; Highlights Civilisational Linkages

The India-Maldives ties have come under stress as President Muizzu, widely seen as a pro-China leader, maintained after assuming charge as the president in November that he will keep his election promise of evicting Indian military personnel from his country.

PTI

Updated on: 10 April 2024 10:52 pm

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu (L) with PM Narendra Modi (R) | Photo: PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday warmly greeted Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, the government and the people of the archipelago nation on the occasion of Eid and also highlighted the cultural and civilisational linkages between the two countries.

“As we celebrate Eid al-Fitr with traditional fervour, people across the world are reminded of the values of compassion, brotherhood and togetherness, which are essential in building a peaceful and inclusive world that we all aspire for,” Prime Minister Modi said in his greetings to President Muizzu.

BY Saumya Baijal

“Hon’ble Prime Minister of India @NarendraModi extended warm greetings to His Excellency President of Maldives Dr. @MMuizzu, the Government & the people of the Republic of Maldives,” the Indian High Commission here said in a post on X.

In his message, Prime Minister Modi also highlighted the cultural and civilisational linkages shared by India and Maldives that go back in time.

There were 88 Indian military personnel manning three aviation platforms in the Maldives. Last month, the first batch of 26 Indian military personnel were replaced by civilian personnel from India. The remaining Indian defence personnel are expected to return to India by May 10, the deadline set by Muizzu.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Lakshadweep. - null

Row Erupts After Maldives Minister Reacts On PM Modi’s Lakshadweep Visit

BY Outlook Web Desk

At the request of the Maldives government, India last week allowed the export of certain quantities of essential commodities for the year 2024-25, displaying a strong commitment to supporting human-centric development in the island nation.

The Maldives is India’s key maritime neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and occupies a special place in its initiatives like ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and the ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’ of the Modi government.