Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Malé, Maldives, on Friday, where he was received with a warm welcome by President Mohamed Muizzu along with key members of his cabinet, including the foreign, defence, finance, and homeland security ministers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives a warm welcome from Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu upon arrival in Malé, ahead of bilateral talks and Independence Day celebrations.(Screengrab from ANI)

Narendra Modi was received on arrival in Malé by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, who had extended the invitation for the two-day visit.

Modi was welcomed with a traditional dance performance by children before heading for scheduled high-level discussions.

According to foreign secretary Vikram Misri, this is the first state visit by a foreign head of government that President Muizzu is hosting since taking office in November 2023.

The visit is being viewed as a diplomatic breakthrough amid a period of strained ties between New Delhi and Malé under Muizzu’s administration.

Modi will be the guest of honour at the Maldives’ Independence Day celebrations on July 26 and is expected to inaugurate several India-assisted development projects during the visit.

In his departure statement, the Prime Minister said, “This year also marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries.”

“I look forward to my meetings with President Muizzu and other political leadership, to advance our joint vision of a Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership, and to strengthen our cooperation for peace, prosperity and stability in the Indian Ocean Region,” he added.

The PM arrived in Maldives following a two-day trip to the United Kingdom, where India and the UK signed a landmark trade agreement aimed at boosting bilateral trade by removing tariffs on key goods including cars, textiles, and whisky.