On Monday, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar met separately in bilateral capacities with the presidents of the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, Mohamed Muizzu and Sheikh Hasina.
Seven leaders from India’s neighbouring regions and the Indian Ocean region attended Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s and the Union Council of Ministers’ swearing-in event on Sunday, including Mr. Muizzu, Ms. Hasina, and Mr. Wickremesinghe.
“Delighted to call on President Dr Mohamed Muizzu of Maldives today in New Delhi. Look forward to India and Maldives working together closely,” Mr Jaishankar said on ‘X’.
Delighted to call on President Dr Mohamed Muizzu of Maldives today in New Delhi.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrSJaishankar) June 10, 2024
Look forward to India and Maldives working together closely. @MMuizzu
🇮🇳 🇲🇻 pic.twitter.com/odHJPRK4Ks
Mr Jaishankar was the external affairs minister in PM Modi’s previous Cabinet. He took oath as a Union minister on Sunday.
It was Mr Muizzu’s first visit to India after he became the island nation’s president on November 17 last year.
The ties between India and the Maldives came under severe strain since Mr Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, took charge of the top office.
Within hours of his oath, he had demanded the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from his country. The Indian military personnel were replaced by civilians earlier this month.
After his meeting with Ms Hasina, Mr Jaishankar said, “Honoured to call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh today. The India-Bangladesh Maitri continues to advance.”
On his meeting with Mr Wickremesinghe, Mr Jaishankar said, “Appreciate President Ranil Wickremesinghe of Sri Lanka for receiving me this morning in New Delhi. Recognized the steady progress in India-Sri Lanka relations.”
Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, his Bhutanese counterpart Tshering Tobgay and Vice-President of Seychelles Ahmed Afif also attended PM Modi’s swearing-in ceremony.
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