The agreement to introduce UPI in Maldives was signed during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's three-day official visit to the country in August.
During her meeting with Muizzu, Sonakshi Sinha said she enjoyed the beautiful weather and hospitality in the Maldives, which she said were the top highlights of the country and noted that she frequented the country due to her enthusiasm for diving.
The ties between India and the Maldives came under severe strain since Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, took charge as Maldives President. However, things have now taken a positive turn as he reaffirmed support to strengthened bilateral ties with India, calling it a 'close ally'.
Arriving earlier that morning as part of a five-day State visit to India, the couple-- the Maldivian President and his wife-- took the opportunity to capture memorable photographs in front of the iconic monument.
The Maldivian President extended an invitation to the Prime Minister Modi to visit Maldives on a State visit next year. According to MEA, the Prime Minister accepted the invitation and "the dates for the visit will worked out through diplomatic channels".
Upon his arrival at the Agra airport, Muizzu and his wife will be welcomed by State Minister Yogendra Updhyay on behalf of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. From the airport, the couple is scheduled to head to the Taj Mahal for the visit.
Muizzu mentioned that India is one of their largest source markets for tourism and expressed hope to welcome more Indian tourists to the Maldives.
Muizzu, who is on a four-day state visit, held talks with Prime Minister Modi at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi. After the talks, India also handed over 700 social housing units to the Maldives built under the EXIM Bank’s buyer’s credit facilities.
The Indian Prime Minister emphasised how New Delhi has always given preference to Male and its people by launching multiple projects. This year, PM Modi said the State Bank of India (SBI) did a rollover of 100 million dollars of the Treasury Bench of Maldives.
In his first first bilateral visit to India Muizzu's comments underline growing bonhomie after a diplomatic stand-off last year over three Maldivian ministers' comments about Prime Minister Modi.
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu was accorded a ceremonial guard of honor at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday, October 7. He was welcomed by President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
During this visit, President Muizzu will hold meetings with President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior officials.
Earlier, Muizzu denied pursuing an 'India Out' agenda, saying that he never had any problem against any one country. Relations between India and the Maldives came under great strain after Muizzu took power and demanded the withdrawal of Indian military personnel in the island nation.
The ties between India and the Maldives came under severe strain since November last year when Muizzu took charge and demanded the expulsion of Indian military personnel. Things escalated when Maldivian deputy ministers made disparaging remarks against PM Modi after his Lakshadweep visit.
The Foreign Minister said that relations with India had faced challenges, particularly following President Muizzu’s campaign to remove a small contingent of Indian troops from the Maldives. Zameer said that the "misunderstandings" between the two countries have been resolved.
The Maldives and China explored ways to enhance their defence cooperation, according to the defence ministry. In a post on X on Friday, the Maldives' Ministry of Defence announced that Defence Minister Ghassan Maumoon held a meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Admiral Dong Jun.
Heena Waleed, the chief spokesperson at the President's Office, announced Muizzu's visit on the same day when two junior ministers, suspended in January for derogatory comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi - resigned from the government.
The Maldivian spokesperson said that while the exact date for the trip is yet to be finalised, the two sides are discussing a date, which is convenient to the leaders of both countries.
The talks focused on expanding bilateral defence cooperation and expediting the implementation of various projects in this regard. These talks are significant as India's relations with the Maldives strained after President Mohamed Muizzu came to power.
Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu has accused the opposition of attempting to stage a "financial coup" and said all those behind the plot to topple his government would be brought to justice.
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