January 26, 2024
2 mins read

Maldives President Greets India on Republic Day Amid Tensions

President Muizzu also expressed hope for continued peace, progress, and prosperity for the Indian government and the people for the coming years….reports Asian Lite News

Amid the ongoing diplomatic row between New Delhi and Male, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu extended his greetings to India on the occasion of 75th Republic Day.

He recalled the centuries old friendship between the two nations built on “mutual respect and a deep sense of kinship”.

“President Mohamed Muizzu sent greetings and good wishes to the President and Prime Minister of the Republic of India on the occasion of the 75th Republic Day of India. In separate messages to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Muizzu conveyed greetings and extended his heartfelt felicitations on commemorating the 75th Republic Day of India,” the Maldives President office said in a statement.

President Muizzu also expressed hope for continued peace, progress, and prosperity for the Indian government and the people for the coming years.

“President Muizzu conveyed good wishes from the Government and the people of the Maldives to the Government and the people of India. He underscored the Maldives-India bond nurtured by centuries of friendship, mutual respect, and a deep sense of kinship. The President expressed hope for continued peace, progress, and prosperity for the Government and people of India for years to come,” the statement added.

Former Maldives President Ibrahim Solih also congratulated India on the occasion of 75th Republic Day and called for the “unbreakable bond” between teh two nations to go from “strength to strength”.

“On the joyous occasion of India’s 75th Republic Day I extend best wishes to Pres Murmu (@rashtrapatibhvn), PM @narendramodi, the government and people of India. May the unbreakable bonds of friendship that have long existed between Maldives and India go from strength to strength,” Solih stated on X.

Notably, Solih was one of the prominent Maldives leader to condemn the derogatory remarks made by some junior ministers which led to a diplomatic standoff between the two nations.

India and the Maldives on January 14 “agreed to fast-track the withdrawal of Indian military personnel” from the island nation, according to the Maldives’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The removal of Indian troops in the Maldives was the main campaign plank of Muizzu’s party during the Presidential elections. Currently, there are around 70 Indian troops, along with Dornier 228 maritime patrol aircraft and two HAL Dhruv helicopters, stationed On the second day of assuming office, Muizzu officially requested the Indian government to withdraw its military personnel from the Maldives.

Apart from the call for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel, a massive row erupted after a Maldivian deputy minister, along with other cabinet members and government officials, made disparaging and unsavoury references to Primer Minister Narendra Modi’s recent Lakshadweep visit and call to development the Indian archipelago as a global retreat for beach tourism.

The Maldives government, however, distanced itself from the remarks. (ANI)

ALSO READ: India, Maldives Pursue Solution for Aviation Platforms’ Operation

Previous Story

Nepal PM Extends Republic Day Wishes to India

Next Story

Assam’s ‘Elephant Girl’ Gets Padma Shri

Latest from -Top News

WAVES 2025: Jaishankar Advocates Cultural Pluralism

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar delivered a powerful address at the WAVES 2025 Global Media Dialogue, highlighting the significance of cultural pluralism in shaping global change. Speaking on the second day of

India Eyes Supply Chain Shift

India’s electronics manufacturing sector is undergoing a remarkable transformation, positioning the country as a major global hub for production and supply chain diversification. Riding on favourable government policies, geopolitical tailwinds, and a

India Bans All Pakistan Imports

In a sharp escalation of diplomatic hostilities, India has banned all direct and indirect imports from Pakistan with immediate effect, following the brutal terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam region that

Kashmir Crisis Deepens

Government of Pakistan Administered Kashmir has instructed residents living along the de-facto border, the Line of Control (LoC) with India to stockpile food and other essential items for at least two months…reports

China to evaluate offer of tariff talks  

Punishing US tariffs that have reached 145% on many Chinese products came into force in April while Beijing has responded with fresh 125% duties on imports from the US   China has
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Indian envoy, US lawmaker discuss healthcare, clean energy

The two sides also discussed knowledge partnership, particularly in next-gen

Modi launches 5G services, calls it ‘historic day’

The Prime Minister stressed on manufacturing of smart phones in