PM Narendra Modi to attend Maldivian President-Elect Ibrahim Solih's swearing-in ceremony

Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said at a media briefing said: "The Prime minister has accepted the invitation with pleasure."

In the Maldives, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had defeated strongman President Yameen Abdul Gayoom Yameen in the September 23 presidential election. His term is expected to continue until 2023./ AFP Image

NEW DELHI: The the Foreign Ministry on Friday announced that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the oath ceremony of Maldivian president-elect Ibrahim Solih on November 17. Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said at a media briefing said: "The Prime minister has accepted the invitation with pleasure." In the Maldives, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had defeated strongman President Yameen Abdul Gayoom Yameen in the September 23 presidential election. His term is expected to continue until 2023. It is reported that the island nation's relations with India became strained during Yameen's rule, with tensions peaking after New Delhi criticised Male's refusal to enforce a Supreme Court ruling quashing the convictions of nine opposition figures, among them former President Mohamed Nasheed. PM Modi will also visit Singapore to take part in the 13th East Asia Summit and other meetings on November 14 and 15, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said at a media briefing. On the US waiver to India from Iran sanctions, Kumar said the US has shown understanding of India's position on the issue.

PM Narendra Modi has accepted Maldives President Elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's invitation to attend the swearing-in ceremony on November 17: Raveesh Kumar, MEA pic.twitter.com/Z2kauGbJdW

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India, China and Japan were among eight countries temporarily allowed to continue buying Iranian oil as they showed significant reduction in oil purchase from the Persian Gulf country after the US reimposed crippling sanctions on Tehran, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had said earlier this week. (additional input from agencies)