PM Modi’s Maldives Visit Ignites Pride Among Indian Diaspora Ahead Of 60th Independence Day

<p>Male, July 25 (IANS) As Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarks on a state visit to the Maldives starting Friday, members of the Indian diaspora in the island nation have expressed overwhelming joy and pride ahead of his arrival.</p>
<p>The visit, taking place at the invitation of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, coincides with the Maldives&rsquo; 60th Independence Day and the 60th anniversary of India-Maldives diplomatic relations.</p>
<p>&ldquo;We are very happy about his arrival. I came here in Maldives two years ago &ndash; the situation was not the same. The way they admire India here today is so great,&rdquo; said a member of the Indian community in Male.</p>
<p>Another member remarked on PM Modi&rsquo;s global diplomatic outreach, saying, &ldquo;The way PM Modi is visiting different nations and making India famous and proud on the global stage is a proud thing.&rdquo;</p>
<p>For many Indians living in the Maldives, the visit is not only symbolic but also personal. &ldquo;It is a matter of great pride that PM Modi is coming. I am part of the management team where the meeting will take place. Hope to meet him &ndash; definitely going to see him,&rdquo; shared one excited individual.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Our PM coming to the Maldives is very exciting. Preparations are at their peak to welcome him, and people here are very happy with his visit, especially the Indian community,&rdquo; added another.</p>
<p>During his visit, Prime Minister Modi will serve as the Guest of Honour at the Maldives&rsquo; 60th Independence Day celebrations. The visit also aims to reinforce bilateral ties and showcase India&rsquo;s commitment to its &ldquo;Neighbourhood First&rdquo; policy.</p>
<p>Before departing for the Maldives, PM Modi concluded a &ldquo;landmark&rdquo; visit to the United Kingdom, where he signed the India-UK Free Trade Agreement and engaged in high-level talks to strengthen economic and trade ties.</p>
<p>Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared on social media: &ldquo;A landmark visit to UK concludes, elevating the India-Great Britain trade and economic ties to new heights. PM @narendramodi emplanes for the second leg of his tour &ndash; Maldives.&rdquo;</p>
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<p>(This report has been published as part of an auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Apart from the headline, no editing has been done in the copy by ABP Live.)</p>
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