Ibrahim Mohamed Solih took oath as the new president of Maldives on Saturday in the presence of 17 foreign dignitaries and representatives from 46 countries, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
India was the only country invited at the Head of State/Government level. And the symbolism was clear from the start. PM Modi gave warm hugs to former presidents of Maldives, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and Mohamed Nasheed, when he reached the national stadium ahead of the ceremony. He also sat between the two former presidents throughout, and when the ceremony ended, President Solih also hugged PM Modi.
But symbolism aside, words also played a major role. During his address to the nation after the oath-taking ceremony, the only country Solih specifically mentioned was India. "We will endeavour to fortify existing ties with India, and Maldives will hereupon bolster its shared role to retain enduring peace and harmony of the Indian Ocean," he said.
After the inauguration ceremony, PM Modi was warmly received by Solih in his office. A joint statement was also released which noted the "resilience of relations between India and the Maldives", and both leaders "expressed confidence in the renewal of close bonds of cooperation and friendship with the election of Mr Solih as President of the Maldives".
Experts believe PM Modi's visit to Maldives is meant to send out a message: India now fully backs the new government in Male. Maldives is interestingly the only SAARC country that Modi has not yet visited since taking over in 2014.
The two leaders on Saturday agreed on the need for facilitating easier visa procedures. Under outgoing president Yameen, people to people ties had suffered, with Indians being denied visas and work permits. Indians are the second largest expatriate community in the Maldives with an approximate strength of around 22,000.
On the economic front, Solih briefed PM Modi on the dire economic situation in the country, and the two discussed ways in which India can continue the development partnership. Solih highlighted the pressing need for increased housing and infrastructure development as well as for establishing water and sewage systems in the outlying islands. The fear is that under former president Yameen, due to increased Chinese infrastructure projects, the country went through a serious debt issue. Modi, however, assured Solih of India's firm commitment to assisting Male in achieving sustainable social and economic development. He also conveyed India's readiness to extend help in every possible way and suggested that both sides meet at the earliest to work out details as per Maldives' requirements.
Later, PM Modi also extended an invitation to President Solih to make a state visit to India at his earliest convenience. The minister of foreign affairs of Maldives will also be visiting India on November 26 to hold further discussions and to prepare for President Solih's impending visit.
