Republic Day 2024: Amid the recent diplomatic rift between New Delhi and Male, in a gesture signaling potential reconciliation, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu extended warm greetings and heartfelt felicitations to India on the occasion of its 75th Republic Day.The Maldives Presidents office released a statement on Friday, which stated, President Mohamed Muizzu sent greetings and good wishes to the President and Prime Minister of India on the occasion of the 75th Republic Day of India. In separate messages to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Muizzu conveyed greetings and extended his heartfelt felicitations on commemorating the 75th Republic Day of India.President of Maldives, Dr Mohamed Muizzu @MMuizzu has sent greetings and good wishes to the President and Prime Minister of India on the occasion of the #75thRepublicDayPresident Dr Muizzu conveyed good wishes from the Government and the people of the Maldives to the… pic.twitter.com/VSDNcziDpt— DD India (@DDIndialive) January 26, 2024This positive sentiment marks a stark contrast to the tension that arose, earlier in January when derogatory remarks aimed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Maldivian officials triggered a diplomatic standoff.Former Maldives President extends greetingsMoreover, Former Maldives President Ibrahim Solih also congratulated India on the occasion of Republic Day. Notably, he was one of the prominent Maldives leaders to condemn the derogatory remarks made by some junior ministers which triggered the diplomatic rift between the two countries. On the joyous occasion of Indias 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, 2024Former Maldives President stated on X, On the joyous occasion of Indias 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. The recent agreement to fast-track the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the Maldives moderated the ongoing tussle between the two countries. What triggered standoff between India and MaldivesEarlier in the five-day visit to China, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu criticized India. In a press conference, Mohamed Muizzu said, We may be small but this doesnt give them the license to bully us.Maldives President also appealed to China to intensify efforts and send more tourists to the island nation, aiming to reclaim its pre-pandemic position as the Maldives top tourism market. Twenty agreements were signed across various sectors, solidifying the partnership further. What nextHowever, the path to full reconciliation remains strewn with obstacles. The diplomatic row exposed simmering anxieties about Chinese influence in the Maldives, complicating the regional power dynamic.
