New Delhi: India and its tiny maritime south-western neighbour Maldives are the closest of friends once again. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday attended the swearing-in ceremony of new Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. President Solih “highlighted the pressing need for increased housing and infrastructure development as well as for establishing water and sewerage systems in the outlying islands.”
Sources said India was the only country mentioned in President Solih’s speech and that as a special gesture, the Maldivian President held his meeting with PM Modi immediately after the swearing-in. Sources also said India was the only country invited at the head of state/government level at the swearing-in ceremony.
President Solih’s assuming of office following his victory in the Presidential polls against then president Abdulla Yameen has come as a huge relief for New Delhi. Mr Yameen was openly pro-China and had become a thorn in New Delhi's flesh, with Indo-Maldivian ties having nose-dived during Mr. Yameen's tenure. In a boost to India, the United States has also backed President Solih's new government.
