PM Modi thanks people of Maldives for ‘affection’ shown to him, departs for Sri Lanka visit

Male: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday thanked the people of Maldives for the ‘affection’ showed to him and said his two-day visit will lead to stupendous outcomes in improving bilateral ties between India and the Maldives.

“Dear citizens of the Republic of Maldives, I am humbled by the affection I have received in you wonderful nation. Thank you for being great hosts,” Mr Modi tweeted before emplaning for Sri Lankan capital Sri Lanka.

“I also thank the Government (of Maldives) for the hospitality. This visit will lead to stupendous outcomes, adding vigour to bilateral ties,” Prime Minister wrote.

Mr Modi was conferred by Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih with its highest honour for any foreign dignitary- the ‘Rule of Nishan Izzuddeen’- on Saturday.

This is the fourth such high ranking international award conferred on Mr Modi after South Korea, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announcing its highest civilian award ‘Order of Zayed’ on the Prime Minister and such an honour from Russia in April.

On April 12, 2019 Mr Modi joined the illustrious club of noted Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and Chinese President Xi Jinping and others when the Russian Federation conferred the prestigious Russian highest civilian award ‘Order of Saint Andrew The Apostle’ on him.

In October last year, Mr Modi was honoured with Seoul Peace Prize by South Korea.

Prime Minister Modi will be the first international leader to visit Sri Lanka on Sunday after it was hit with an unprecedented terror strike and the Easter bombings that killed over 250 people, including 11 Indians.

During his stay in Sri Lanka, Mr Modi will meet Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and hold bilateral issues including on the issue of terrorism.

Marking a significant note of his commitment to fight terror, Prime Minister in his address to Maldives Parliament, People’s Majlis, Mr Modi said terrorism poses a major challenge globally and a lot of time has been wasted in the debate on a good or a bad terrorist.

He also called for a global meet to discuss terrorism and terror sponsors in the line of international commitment shown to deal with the challenge of climate challenge. (UNI)