Maldives Invites PM Modi To Attend Oath-Taking Ceremony Of 'Pro-China' President-Elect Muizzu

The Maldives has extended an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the oath-taking ceremony of President-elect Mohamed Muizzu.

However, New Delhi is yet to take a decision on the level of its representation at the ceremony, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday.

Muizzu, who is often perceived as favoring China, is scheduled to assume the presidency of the Maldives on 17 November.

"We have received the invitation for the prime minister to attend that (oath-taking ceremony). I will let you know once we have a decision on who will represent us and in what capacity," MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi was quoted as saying by Times of India.

"As of now, we do not have any further information to share on that," he added.

Last month, India said it was looking forward to "constructively" engage with the incoming administration of Muizzu.

In the presidential election runoff held in September, Muizzu emerged victorious over the sitting President Ibrahim Solih.

The Maldives, situated in the Indian Ocean, is a crucial maritime neighbor of India. The bilateral relations between the two nations, especially in defence and security, have been steadily improving over recent years.

Former President Solih consistently worked towards strengthening relations with India, adhering to an "India First" policy.

In May, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh made a visit to the Maldives, during which he presented the country with a fast patrol vessel and a landing craft.

Last August, Modi and Solih jointly initiated the Greater Male Connectivity Project (GMCP), an India-financed venture, billed as the Maldives' largest infrastructure project.

The GMCP entails constructing a 6.74-kilometer bridge and causeway to link the Maldivian capital, Male, with neighboring islands Villingli, Gulhifalhu, and Thilafushi.