Indian PM confirms attendance at Solih’s inauguration

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has confirmed that he will be attending Maldives president-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s inauguration.

At a press conference on Friday, external affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said PM Modi has accepted Solih's invitation to attend the swearing-in ceremony on November 17.

The spokesperson added that PM Modi has planned a short visit to Maldives and will be returning to India on the same day.

Spokesperson Raveesh also expressed hope that India’s diplomatic relations with the new Maldives government will increase, according to India’s ‘Neighborhood-First’.

This would be Modi's first visit to Maldives, as he had so far avoided the country due to the political turmoil in Maldives and the diplomatic rift between India and the administration of outgoing President Abdulla Yameen.

While many foreign dignitaries have been sent invites, the only one to have confirmed so far is Modi.