Former Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom on Friday extended a warm welcome to Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is on a two-day visit to the archipelago nation. Gayoom shared an old picture of him meeting the Indian premier on his X platform during the latter’s state visit and said that he hoped that it will further strengthen the deep rooted ties of friendship, understanding, and cooperation between the two nations “Warm welcome to Your Excellency Prime Minister Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) to the Maldives. It is a great honour and privilege for us to receive you in our country. May your visit further strengthen the deep rooted ties of friendship, understanding, and cooperation between our two nations,” he said on X. Warm welcome to Your Excellency Prime Minister Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) to the Maldives. It is a great honour and privilege for us to receive you in our country. May your visit further strengthen the deep rooted ties of friendship, understanding, and cooperation between our… pic.twitter.com/URDTnwdLvy — Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (@maumoonagayoom) July 25, 2025 PM Modi’s Maldives Visit PM Narendra Modi landed at Velana International Airport in Male on Friday for a two-day visit to the Maldives. In a special gesture, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu welcomed PM Modi at the airport as he arrived from the United Kingdom. Maldives Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, Finance Minister and Minister of Homeland Security were also present at the airport to welcome PM Modi. He is visiting the archipelago nation at the invitation of President Muizzu to participate as the Guest of Honour at the country’s 60th Independence Day celebrations. India was among the first nations to recognise Maldivian independence in 1965 and establish diplomatic relations. He was also accorded a ceremonial welcome and guard of honour at the Republic Square in Male. Muizzu accompanied PM Modi at the venue, where the national anthems of both India and Maldives were played. PM Modi received a 21-gun salute at the ceremonial welcome. Children performed a dance at the venue. PM Modi met with the ministers and officials of the Maldivian Cabinet at Republic Square. Meanwhile The ministry of defence building in the Maldivian capital displayed a giant photograph of PM Modi. This is the Indian leader’s third visit to the South Asian country and notably the first by any head of state or government during President Muizzu’s tenure.