President Muizzu to Embark on State Visit to India on Sunday
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu is set to leave for India on Tuesday, October 6, following an official invitation from Indian President Droupadi Murmu. The visit aims to further strengthen the diplomatic and bilateral ties between the two nations.
Details of the Visit
The President’s Office Spokesperson, Heena Waleed, confirmed the visit will last from October 6 to October 10 and will feature several high-level meetings. President Muizzu is scheduled to meet with key Indian leaders, including President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Discussions will center around enhancing cooperation and deepening diplomatic ties.
Heena Waleed announced on X (formerly Twitter) that the meetings will involve senior Indian officials, and the Indian government will offer full hospitality during the state visit.
Delegation and Itinerary
President Muizzu will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, according to the President's Office. In addition to official engagements in Delhi, his itinerary includes visits to Mumbai and Bangalore.
This visit marks President Muizzu's first state visit to India since taking office in November last year. He had previously visited India in June to attend Prime Minister Modi’s swearing-in ceremony.
Recent Diplomatic Context
President Muizzu last met Prime Minister Modi at the COP28 summit held in Dubai in December. His upcoming visit comes at a time when relations between Maldives and India are on the upswing after a period of tension.
The diplomatic strain arose due to defamatory comments made by two Maldivian deputy ministers regarding Prime Minister Modi. The incident took place during discussions about the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the Maldives, an issue that had garnered significant attention. The two officials, Malsha Shareef and Mariyam Shiuna, were suspended and eventually resigned from the Ministry of Youth in September.
Resolution of Military Presence Issue
A key element of President Muizzu's campaign was the peaceful withdrawal of Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives. Earlier this year, the withdrawal was completed as part of an agreement between the two governments, with civilians replacing Indian troops in non-combat roles.