President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has described his recent official visit to neighboring India as a momentous success for the island nation.

The Maldivian leader said this while speaking to Public Service Media (PSM) in India before embarking on his return home.

Muizzu embarked on the brief visit to the neighboring country on Saturday, upon the official invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Speaking to press, Muizzu highlighted that his official visit India to attend the swearing-in ceremony of PM Modi and the new Council of Ministers was a significant success for the Maldives.

Shedding light on the highlights of the trip, Muizzu expressed delight at being invited to the important ceremony.

Muizzu expressed gratitude to PM Modi for the invitation.

Highlighting that the strong ties between the two nations would bring prosperity to the Maldives and its people, Muizzu expressed optimism for a successful bilateral relationship between the two neighboring countries in the future.

This was the president’s first official visit to India since assuming office on 17 November 2023. During the trip he sat down for fruitful discussions with PM Modi, President Droupadi Murmu and Union Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

President Muizzu has expressed confidence that the relations between both countries have strengthened because of the visit and discussions held as part of it.

The president’s visit comes at a time relations between Maldives and India soured due to derogatory remarks targeted towards the Indian government by pro-government officials and individuals serving top government positions in the Muizzu administration.

Muizzu himself was highly vocal in criticizing India, as leader of the now main ruling, then opposition People’s National Congress (PNC).

The sudden shift in the incumbent administration’s spirits towards the neighboring country has drawn criticism from the public as well.