Maldives President Muizzu invited to Indian PM Modi's swearing-in ceremony

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has been invited to attend Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's oath taking ceremony for his third consecutive term in office. The event, scheduled for this weekend, will see several leaders from neighbouring countries present. President Muizzu, who took office last year, congratulatedModi and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) for their victory in the 2024 Indian General Elections.

In a social media message, he stated, "I look forward to working together to advance our shared interests in pursuit of shared prosperity and stability for our two countries."

While no public confirmation has come from Muizzu's office, if he travels to Delhi, this will be his first visit to India since assuming office. Neighbouring countries have been prominent among the invited foreign guests.

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Official confirmations have been received from Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe congratulated Prime Minister Modi on his electoral victory during a phone call, subsequently accepting an invitation to the inauguration.

A statement from the Sri Lankan government confirmed Wickremesinghe being invited for the oath-taking. Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina accepted the invitation during a telephone conversation, confirmed by Noorelahi Mina, Deputy Press Secretary to the Bangladeshi Prime Minister.

Nepal's Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, is also confirmed to attend the ceremony in Delhi. Over the past 24 hours, Indian Prime Minister Modi has spoken to several leaders in the region, including Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Bhutan PM Dasho Tshering Tobgay and Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth. Prime Minister Jugnauth was the first global leader to congratulate Modi on his victory on June 4.

Prime Minister Modi's previous inaugurations have also featured regional leaders. In 2014, he invited leaders from SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) countries, and in 2019, from BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) countries.

The recent electoral victory of Narendra Modi and the BJP-led NDA alliance for a third consecutive term has prompted a wave ofcongratulationsfrom over 100 world leaders. Messages of goodwill have poured in from a diverse array of countries and regions, including major global powers and key partners.

Leaders from nations such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, the European Union, France, Germany, Japan, the United States, and Russia have extended their best wishes to Prime Minister Modi.

Around 14 world leaders have called PM Modi to give congratulatory messages, which include Russian President Vladimir Putin, Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte, French Prez Emmanuel Macron, Thai PM Srettha Thavisin, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and Australia PM Anthony Albanese.