PM Modi set to attend Solih's inauguration ceremony, advance team in Maldives

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to attend President-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s inauguration ceremony next week.

While his visit is yet to be confirmed, ‘Times of India’ on Tuesday reported that the PM’s official advance team is currently in Maldives “to begin preparations”.

President-elect Solih had invited the Indian PM to his swearing-in ceremony, during Modi’s call to congratulate him on his victory in September’s presidential election.

The Indian Prime Minister skipped Maldives in 2015, during his tour of the Indian Ocean, due to the political turmoil in the country. While the bilateral relations between the two nations has since deteriorated with Maldives focusing on strengthening relations with China, it is the only South Asian country that Modi has not visited since assuming office in 2014.

Hence, if Modi decides to attend Solih’s swearing in ceremony, it will be his maiden trip as PM.

There have been reports that he is unlikely to attend the ceremony, with India hesitating to send him “to an event where he could be just part of the crowd”, and that his long-awaited trip to the Maldives “should be a stand-alone bilateral state visit”.

‘Times of India’ noted that Modi’s presence at the ceremony will show India’s support to Maldives’ new government, as well as “serve as a vote of confidence to Ibu”.