Modi honored with ceremonial welcome to the Maldives

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived in the Maldives on Friday morning on a two-day state visit, was honored with a ceremonial welcome to the Maldives this afternoon.

The plane carrying PM Modi, who is also set to be the guest of honor of Maldives’ 60th Independence Day celebrations, landed at the Velana International Airport (VIA) in the Maldivian capital at around 09:15 am Friday.

He was received at the airport by Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, Foreign Minister Dr. Abdulla Khaleel, and other senior Maldivian government officials.

The ceremonial welcome for PM Modi was held at Republic Square in Male’ where President Muizzu formally received PM Modi.

Prime Minister of India, His Excellency Shri @narendramodi receives a ceremonial welcome during his state visit to the Maldives. His Excellency President Dr @MMuizzu received the Prime Minister at Republic Square, where Aminiya School students performed a cultural dance. MNDF… pic.twitter.com/ABtcFs7ZCA

— The President's Office (@presidencymv) July 25, 2025

Students of Aminiya School performed a cultural presentation, followed by a 21-gun salute by the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF). The national anthems of both India and the Maldives were then played, after which a Guard of Honor was presented. This was followed by the formal introduction of dignitaries from both the host and visiting delegations.

PM Modi was then escorted to the President’s Office from Republic Square in a cultural procession, “Haiykolhu,” where he and President Muizzu will engage in important bilateral talks on issues of mutual interest.

The leaders are scheduled to deliver a joint statement later today.

They will also be inaugurating several joint projects, and overseeing the exchange of “a number of Memoranda of Understanding aimed at deepening cooperation across various sectors of mutual interest during his visit. PM Modi is also reportedly scheduled to meet with senior officials from the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

On Saturday, PM Modi is set to take part in Maldives’ 60th Independence Day celebration.

In a post on X on Wednesday, he said he was honored to be taking part in the celebrations. He also noted that this year also marks the 60th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations between Male’ and New Delhi.

“The talks with President Muizzu will certainly add momentum to bilateral ties across diverse sectors,” he said.

Elected to office on a pledge to expel Indian troops from the Maldives, relations between Male’ and New Delhi had been strained in the early days of President Muizzu’s administration.

Things escalated further three months into office when three deputy ministers made disparaging remarks regarding India and Indian Prime Minister Modi following a social media post promoting India’s Lakshadweep as an alternative tourist destination to the Maldives.

Speaking to reporters after concluding a state visit to China the same month, President Muizzu said that Maldives wasn’t any country’s backyard and that the country cannot be bullied just because its small – remarks that were widely believed to be directed at India.

But despite the earlier turmoil, officials from both Male’ and Delhi repeatedly expressed keenness to repairing relations, and engaged in several high-level visits, including two by President Muizzu himself.

The visit by Modi, which marks his third visit to the Maldives but his first during President Muizzu’s administration, is expected to cement the ties between Male’ and New Delhi.