Maldives President Mohammed Muizzu and Maldives First Lady Sajida Mohammed arrived in New Delhi on Sunday on their first bilateral visit to India. During this visit, President Muizzu will hold meetings with President Draupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and other senior officials. He was welcomed by Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kiriti Vardhan Singh. Muizzu is on a visit to India from October 6-10 at the official invitation of President Draupadi Murmu.

During the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York recently, Muizu said that he plans to visit India as soon as possible. He also praised the 'very strong' bilateral relations between the two countries.

"I am planning to visit (India) as soon as possible...we have very strong bilateral relations," Muizzu said. This will be Muizzu's second visit to India this year, having attended Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony in June.

...but Muizzu changed this trend after taking charge

It is noteworthy that according to the earlier tradition, almost every President of Maldives used to make his first foreign visit to India, but after assuming office, Muizzu changed this trend by first visiting Turkey and then China.

He ran his entire presidential campaign on the lines of 'India Out'

Since coming to power, the Muizzu government has taken several steps that have been unconventional from the point of view of India-Maldives relations. He ran his entire presidential campaign on the lines of 'India Out'. The removal of Indian troops from the country was the main election campaign of Muizzu's party. However, after the recent souring of relations with India, Muizzu has adopted a conciliatory stance, thanking India for financial assistance and calling New Delhi Male's closest ally.