PM Narendra Modi likely to visit Maldives in first bilateral visit after poll victory

In his first bilateral visit after assuming office for the second term, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit Maldives.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) shakes hands with Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solihas prior to a meeting in New Delhi on December 17, 2018. - Maldivian President is on three-day of state visit to India till December 18. (Photo by Prakash SINGH / AFP)

New Delhi: In his first bilateral visit after assuming office for the second term, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit island nation Maldives. The visit is scheduled to take place between 7-8 June, agencies reported. Modi led BJP to a colossal victory in the Lok Sabha elections and was elected the PM of the country for the second straight term. After his 2014 historic win, Modi had visited Bhutan on his first foreign trip on becoming the PM. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj visited the Maldives in March, the first full-fledged bilateral trip from India to the island nation after the government of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih came to power in November last year. Modi visited the Maldives in November to attend Solih's swearing-in ceremony, signalling the importance India attaches to the island nation, where China has been trying to expand its influence. Last week, Solih congratulated Modi for his "resounding electoral victory". Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed also congratulated Modi hoping the island nation would be able to continue and boost close co-operation with the Indian government led by Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP). From his official Twitter handle Nasheed tweeted: “As Indian polls close, congratulations are in order for @narendramodi and the BJP. I am sure the Maldives people and Govt will be delighted to continue their close cooperation with the PM and the BJP-led Govt.” The relations between India and the Maldives had deteriorated after the then President Abdulla Yameen imposed emergency in February last 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 had lasted for 45 days.