Maldives President Accepts Invite to Modi’s Swearing-In Amid Strained Ties

Maldives President Accepts Invite to Modi’s Swearing-In Amid Strained Ties

Keywords: Maldives, India, Bilateral relations, Modi’s swearing-in

Amidst strained relations between India and the Maldives, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has accepted an invitation to attend the swearing-in ceremony of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Thursday.

Ties between the two countries have been under pressure since Maldives’ progressive withdrawal from India-led regional initiatives, including the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), and its increased engagement with China.

In 2018, the Maldives declared a state of emergency and detained opposition leaders, including former President Mohamed Nasheed, which drew criticism from India. The situation has since improved, but the Maldives has maintained its distance from India.

President Solih’s acceptance of the invitation is seen as a positive step towards improving relations between the two countries. India has been a traditional ally of the Maldives, providing economic and security assistance.

It is also expected that the two leaders will discuss a range of issues, including cooperation on security, trade, and investment. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for 6:30 pm on Thursday at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.