Indian Prime Minister Modi expected at Maldives president-elect’s inauguration
The swearing-in ceremony is due to take place on November 17.
07 Nov 2018, 9:00 AM
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the inauguration of president-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on November 17.
An advance team from the Indian government arrived Monday to prepare for Modi’s first official visit, The Wire reported, noting that the trip has not been officially confirmed yet.
The Maldives is the only South Asian country Modi has not visited since assuming office. In March 2015, the country was dropped from Modi’s Indian Ocean tour following the arrest and prosecution of former president Mohamed Nasheed.
India-Maldives relations were strained under the outgoing administration of President Abdulla Yameen – who forged a partnership with regional rival China – and nosedived after New Delhi expressed “deep dismay” about a state of emergency in February.
During the campaign, Solih pledged to repair relations with neighbours and traditional allies.
The swearing-in ceremony is due to take place at the national stadium in Malé.
On Tuesday, the MDP vice president announced plans to hold a sports festival in the capital on the two days after the inauguration. About 5,000 people are expected to participate whilst 17 sports associations and 15 NGOs will be involved, he said.