Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sent greetings to Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu on the occasion of Eid-Al-Adha, emphasizing the “values of sacrifice, compassion, and brotherhood” and calling these values essential for building a peaceful world. The good wishes came in the midst of tension between the two neighboring countries.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the celebration to be part of diverse cultural heritage extended to different sections of India.
The Indian High Commission in Maldives shared the Prime Minister’s Eid wishes for the president and the people of Maldives through a press release.
India waves the white flag for Maldives
Maldives is an important partner for India in its initiatives like ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and the ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’ of the Modi government. This is noticeable with India’s continued efforts to maintain a close relationship with the Maldives, despite recent strain.
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India has extended a hand of friendship by inviting the Maldivian President to the swearing-in ceremony of PM Modi. Union Minister S Jaishankar also held a bilateral meeting with the Maldivian President when he was in New Delhi. Posting on X, he wrote, “The meeting was fruitful and both the countries are working closely together.”
India-Maldives relations strained
President Muizzu, who has been in the limelight as a pro-China leader, demanded the complete withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the Maldives, which escalated tensions between the two countries. In response, India pulled out its troops ahead of the May 10 deadline set by Muizzu. The Indian military personnel were deployed in the Maldives to operate and maintain two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft that India had gifted earlier.
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Regardless of the tension, PM Modi’s greeting to Muizzu could indicate India’s efforts to restore ties and bring diplomatic relations back on track. Also, the invitation to President Muizzu for PM Modi’s oath-taking ceremony was part of India’s Neighbourhood First policy, aimed at strengthening ties between the neighboring countries.
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Simran Akhouri is a postgraduate student in journalism from the University of Delhi. She has developed strong writing skills that allow her to convey stories. She is passionate about uncovering the truth and delivering it to the public in an engaging and accessible manner.
