Maldivian Prez to visit India; 2 of his ministers resign over jibe at Modi

Mohamed Muizzu, Maldivian President, will travel to India on an official visit “very soon”, his spokesperson said today.

Heena Waleed, the chief spokesperson at the President’s Office, announced Muizzu’s visit on a day when two junior ministers, suspended in January for derogatory comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, resigned from the government.

She said while the exact date for the trip was yet to be finalised, the two sides were discussing a date, which was of convenience to the leaders of both countries, a news portal reported.

“The President is scheduled to visit India very soon... such trips are scheduled for a time of maximum convenience to leaders of the two countries. Discussions regarding this are in progress,” she said during a press conference.

Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, visited New Delhi on June 9 to attend Prime Minister Modi’s swearing-in ceremony. Unlike his predecessors, who made the first port of call to New Delhi after assuming office, Muizzu travelled to Turkiye first and to China for his first state visit in January.

Heads of the states from India’s neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean region attended Modi’s oath ceremony. Muizzu said he was delighted to receive PM Modi’s invitation and “equally delighted” to have attended the event. On his return, Muizzu described his first visit to India as a “success” for the Maldives.