Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Maldives' capital Male on Saturday to be present at the swearing in ceremony of country’s new President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. Prime Minister is the highest ranking leader attending the ceremony. He will be accompanied by a high level delegation including National security adviser and foreign secretary. PM will also have bilateral talks with Solih after the swearing in ceremony. He will return to New Delhi late evening.

This is the first visit of PM Modi to Maldives and marks the beginning of a new chapter in Indo- Maldives ties.

The ties between the two nations were strained during the rule of outgoing President Abdulla Yameen and this will be the first high level visit in last three years. The visit is likely to give a new momentum to bilateral ties under the new government and Solih is expected to visit India in near future.

The smooth transfer of power will mark the re-establishment of democracy in Maldives as well as a most important diplomatic boost for India.An understanding may be reached during PM Modi’s visit to advance the existing Indian projects and bring new investments in the nation. 

The outgoing government had postponed a number of Indian projects, including a training academy for the Maldivian police and setting up of a coastal radar surveillance system. Indo-Maldivian defence partnership is expected to be lengthened to cover various areas in the maritime sector.