President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom and First Lady Madam Fathimath Ibrahim have received a grand welcome from the Indian government. The ceremony was held this morning at the Presidential Palace Rashtrapati Bhavan.
President Yameen and the First Lady were officially received at the Presidential Palace, by Indian President Shri Pranab Mukherjee, and Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.
On arrival of the President and First Lady at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Indian Army fired a 21 gun salute. When President Yameen ascended the saluting dais, the national anthems of the two countries were played. President Yameen then inspected a guard of honour accorded to him.
At the official welcome ceremony, the Indian dignitaries at the receiving line were introduced to President Yameen; and the Maldivian dignitaries were introduced to the Indian President.
In a brief statement to the media after the ceremony, President Yameen noted that this was his first visit out of country, after assumption of presidency. Highlighting the long standing relationship between the Maldives and India, the President expressed hopes to achieve substantial progress in furthering the India-Maldives relationship.
The President also noted that the Maldives’ long existing bond with India was almost 50 years old. He expressed hopes that more Indian investors will come to Maldives.
After the ceremonial welcome, the President and First Lady visited Rajghat and paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.
