Maldives to confer Modi with country’s highest honour accorded to foreign dignitaries

While returning from the Maldives, Modi will also visit Sri Lanka on June 9. (Photo: IANS/PIB)


Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid on Saturday announced that his country would confer Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Maldives’ highest honour accorded to foreign dignitaries. The official announcement about the award was made by Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

“The President has announced his decision to confer on PM Narendra Modi Maldives’ highest honour accorded to foreign dignitaries. The Most Honourable Order of the Distinguished Rule of Nishan Izzuddeen during the PM’s visit today,” informed Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Maldives on June 8 is at the invitation of Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and is reflective of the new momentum in high-level exchanges between the two countries, the External Affairs Ministry said. Earlier, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had made a state visit to India in December 2018.

“Prime Minister Modi’s forthcoming visit will provide an important occasion to review the recent developments in bilateral relations and exchange views on issues of mutual interest with the objective of further strengthening the special relationship between the two countries,” the ministry added.

While returning from the Maldives, Modi will also visit Sri Lanka on June 9 at the invitation of Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena who had attended the Indian PM’s swearing-in ceremony in New Delhi last week.

Before embarking for the Maldives, Modi had made a brief stop at Kerala to offer prayers at the famed Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple where he was given a traditional welcome by the priests at the doorsteps of the shrine.