Maldives President Extends Greetings Amid Diplomatic Tensions On India's Republic Day

Amid the ongoing diplomatic row between New Delhi and Male, greetings were extended to India on the occasion of the 75th Republic Day by Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu.

The "centuries-old friendship" between the two nations, built on "mutual respect and a deep sense of kinship," was recalled.

Photo Credit: PTI

Maldives President wishes 'Happy Republic Day' to India

"Greetings and good wishes for the occasion of the 75th Republic Day of India were sent by President Mohamed Muizzu to the President and Prime Minister of India. In separate messages conveyed to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Muizzu expressed greetings and extended heartfelt felicitations on commemorating the 75th Republic Day of India," the statement from the Maldives President's office said.

"President Muizzu conveyed good wishes from the Government and the people of the Maldives to the Government and the people of India. The Maldives-India bond, nurtured by centuries of friendship, mutual respect, and a deep sense of kinship, was underscored by the President. Hope for continued peace, progress, and prosperity for the Government and people of India for years to come was also expressed," the statement added.

Former Maldives President Ibrahim Solih also extended congratulations to India on the occasion of the 75th Republic Day and called for the "unbreakable bond" between the two nations to go from "strength to strength.

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, he wrote, "On the joyous occasion of India's 75th Republic Day I extend best wishes to Pres Murmu (@rashtrapatibhvn), PM @narendramodi, the government and people of India. May the unbreakable bonds of friendship that have long existed between Maldives and India go from strength to strength."

Notably, the derogatory remarks made by some junior ministers, which led to a diplomatic standoff between the two nations, were condemned by Solih, one of the prominent Maldives leaders. On January 14, it was "agreed to fast-track the withdrawal of Indian military personnel" from the island nation, according to the Maldives' Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The main campaign plank of Muizzu's party during the Presidential elections was the removal of Indian troops in the Maldives. Currently, there are around 70 Indian troops, along with Dornier 228 maritime patrol aircraft and two HAL Dhruv helicopters, stationed. On the second day of assuming office, Muizzu officially requested the Indian government to withdraw its military personnel from the Maldives.

Apart from the call for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel, a massive row erupted after disparaging and unsavoury references to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent Lakshadweep visit and call to develop the Indian archipelago as a global retreat for beach tourism was made by a Maldivian deputy minister, along with other cabinet members and government officials. The remarks were distanced from by the Maldives government.