Maldives President Mohammed Muizzu described his first official visit to India as a great success and said he hopes it will further strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries.

“God willing, the strengthened ties between the two countries will result in increased prosperity for both the Maldives and Maldivians,” Muizzu said. Known for his pro-China stanceModi, who was here to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Council of Ministers, said this to a state broadcaster.

Muizzu, who was invited by Prime Minister Modi, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to hold high-level meetings with the Prime Minister, President Draupadi Murmu and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. “This visit has been a success for the Maldives and the region as well,” he said.

President Muizu on Sunday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Rashtrapati Bhavan along with a high-level government delegation. They discussed various issues and attended a banquet together. Muizzu was sitting next to Prime Minister Modi.

In his meeting with President Murmu, the Maldivian leader expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality and acknowledged India’s continued support to the Maldives. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also met Muizzu and expressed hope for close cooperation between the two countries in the future.

The journey of Muizzu is as follows: Recent visit of Maldives Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer Diplomatic tensions between the two countries escalated last year when the new President sought the withdrawal of all Indian military personnel operating the three aviation platforms from his country.

A major controversy had erupted over derogatory comments made by Maldives ministers about Prime Minister Modi on social media, resulting in calls for boycott of Maldives in India. The island nation’s treasury has been drainedWhere the tourism sector is its “lifeline”.

Muizzu’s visit is being seen as an important step towards reviving relations between India and Maldives.