WATCH: PM Narendra Modi welcomed with tunes of ‘Aap Aye Bahaar Ayee’ at President-elect Solih's inauguration in Maldives

The Maldives is the only South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation SAARC country that Modi has not visited. The last visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Indian Ocean island nation was by Manmohan Singh in 2011.

India-Maldives ties came under strain under Yameen who was perceived to be close to China. Some decisions by Yameen including imposition of restrictions on work visas for Indians and signing of a new Free Trade Agreement with Beijing also did not go down well with New Delhi.

Male: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday arrived at National Stadium in Male to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Maldives President-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who surprisingly defeated strongman Abdulla Yameen in September. At the stadium, PM Modi was welcomed with the tune of ‘Aap Aye Bahaar Ayee’ and was accorded a red carpet welcome. This is Modi's first visit to the Maldives as prime minister and the last visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Indian Ocean island nation was by Manmohan Singh in 2011. WATCH VIDEO:

माले नेशनल स्टेडियम में नए राष्ट्रपति के तौर पर इब्राहिम सोलेह के शपथ समारोह के पहुंचे प्रधानमंत्री @narendramodi तो मालदीव के सरकारी बैंड ने बजाई बॉलीवुड गीत...'आप आए भर आई' की धुन। pic.twitter.com/hnxFGv0MWP

— Pranay Upadhyaya (@JournoPranay) November 17, 2018

Prime Minister Modi, who was on a day-long visit to Maldivies, held productive talks with Solih after attending his swearing-in ceremony. "Prime minister Modi extended an invitation to President Solih to make a State Visit to India at his earliest convenience. President Solih accepted the invitation with pleasure," Ministry of External Affairs said. "The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives will make an official visit to India on November 26 to hold further discussions and to prepare for the forthcoming State Visit of President Solih to India," it said in a statement. Earlier, Modi in a series of tweets ahead of the visit had said "I will convey to the new Maldivian Government of Mr Solih the desire of the Indian Government to work closely for realisation of their developmental priorities, especially in areas of infrastructure, health care, connectivity & human resource development,". He said the recent elections in the Maldives represent the collective aspirations of the people for democracy, rule of law and a prosperous future. "We in India strongly desire to see a stable, democratic, prosperous and peaceful Republic of Maldives," the prime minister said. Modi also congratulated Solih on his victory in the recent elections and wished him "the very best for his tenure". "India and the Maldives share a strong partnership rooted in history, strong bonds between our peoples, and their shared aspiration for peace and prosperity. My Government's vision of inclusive development Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas' extends to all our neighbours too," he said. The Maldives is the only South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation SAARC country that Modi has not visited. His visit to the Maldives, a strategically vital island and a popular tourist destination, was cancelled in March 2015 due to the volatile political situation then. India-Maldives ties came under strain under Yameen who was perceived to be close to China. Some decisions by Yameen including the imposition of restrictions on work visas for Indians and signing of a new Free Trade Agreement with Beijing also did not go down well with New Delhi. Relations between India and the Maldives deteriorated further after Yameen imposed emergency on February 5 this year. India had criticised his decision and asked his government to restore the credibility of the electoral and political process by releasing political prisoners. The emergency lasted for 45 days. (agency inputs)