On his first overseas visit after retaining the post of Prime Minister, PM Modi arrived in Maldives on Saturday, 8 June. After landing at the airport, Modi was received by Maldivian President Ibrahim Solih at the Republic Square in Male, where he was given a ceremonial welcome.
Modi will be conferred with the Maldives' highest honour "Rule of Nishan Izzuddeen" during his visit to the country, Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid announced on Saturday. PM Modi had earlier visited Maldives to attend the swearing-in of Maldivian President Ibrahim Solih in Male in 2018. Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said the choice of visiting Maldives and Sri Lanka underlined the government's continued emphasis on the neighbourhood-first policy.