Former Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih Wishes India On 75th Republic Day (Image: X @ibusolih)
World leaders from across the world have extended their wishes to India as the country celebrates its 75th Republic Day. Former Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih also extended his warm greetings on the occasion. This comes at a time when diplomatic relations between both countries have reached a new low.
On the joyous occasion of India’s 75th Republic Day I extend best wishes to Pres Murmu (@rashtrapatibhvn), PM @narendramodi, the government and people of India. May the unbreakable bonds of friendship that have long existed between Maldives and India go from strength to strength.
— Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (@ibusolih) January 26, 2024
“On the joyous occasion of India’s 75th Republic Day I extend best wishes to Pres Murmu, PM Narendra Modi, the government and people of India,” wrote Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on his X handle on January 26. The former Maldivian President also added, “May the unbreakable bonds of friendship that have long existed between Maldives and India go from strength to strength.”
In September 2023, Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) candidate Mohamed Muizzu won the Maldivian presidential elections by defeating Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. Mohamed Muizzu won with 129,159 votes, which is 54.04 percent of the votes polled, in that election.
However, relations between India and the Maldives have worsened in recent weeks due to derogatory remarks made by Maldivian ministers about India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The controversy emerged when three deputy ministers of the Maldives criticised PM Modi for his post on ‘X’ following his visit to Lakshadweep. The Maldivian government later suspended these ministers. On January 14, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu asked India to withdraw all Indian military personnel deployed in the island nation by March 15. Notably, the Maldives government took this controversial decision shortly after President Mohamed Muizzu returned from a state visit to China.
