Bridging India’s ties with Maldives, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to be a part of oath taking ceremony of new President-elect Ibrahim Mahmood Solih in November.
In what has been referred to as “positive signals” by New Delhi, India Today has reported that the inaugural ceremony committee in Male have confirmed a possible bilateral meeting between the two leaders on the sidelines of the event.
While a source close to Solih told India Today that an official invite is being processed through diplomatic channels, officials in the National Capital have confirmed an on-going dialogue between India and Maldives on the visit alongside.
How did Modi receive Solih’s victory?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, 24 September, called on Maldives' new President-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and congratulated him on his victory in the presidential elections held in Maldives on Sunday.
Modi also conveyed his good wishes for the strengthening of democracy, peace and prosperity in the island nation under the leadership of Solih, who thanked him for his greetings. The two leaders agreed to work together closely to further strengthen the relations between the two countries.
Where do India’s ties with Maldives stand?
India's ties with Maldives came under strain after Yameen declared Emergency in the country on February 5, following an order by the country's Supreme Court to release a group of Opposition leaders, who had been convicted in widely criticised trials. The Emergency was lifted 45 days later.
In July, India had expressed concern over the presidential election and urged the Yameen government to allow its democratic institutions, including the Parliament and the judiciary, to function in a free and transparent manner.
Former Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom described India as the "closest and most trusted ally" of Maldives, he said it was in the interests of all of the Maldives' geographical neighbours that there is stability in the Indian Ocean region.
"I am confident that the new government will work towards achieving this. We will be sensitive towards the concerns of India as well as of other friends," he said, adding Maldives was looking forward to welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Maldives "very soon".
What does growing proximity between India and Maldives mean for China?
Both India and China, jostling for influence in the Indian Ocean, had been watching the election closely.
The Maldives' economy, historically tied to its famed luxury tourism sector, grew under Yameen, in part due to aid and investment from China. Notably, Yameen has been considered to be backed by China.
Beijing has invested in major projects in Maldives and a free trade agreement also exists between the two countries, reported BBC.
The analysts cited by BBC before the election said that while China favoured incumbency in the Maldives, as it favoured its interests, India rooted for an opposition win.
China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment by AP regarding the election on Monday, a public holiday.
Why is Solih’s victory considered big?
Former joint opposition leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih came out victorious in the 23 September presidential election, handing a shock defeat to incumbent Yameen and capping months of political upheaval in the tourist paradise. The political turmoil was triggered by imposition of emergency in February and jailing of several of opposition leaders including Gayoom, a half brother of Yameen.
Yameen had challenged the outcome of the elections, alleging the vote was rigged but the country's Supreme Court upheld the results. The transition of power is due on 17 November.
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