Prime Minister Narendra Modi conferred with Maldives' highest honour 'Nishan Izzuddeen'.
NEW DELHI/THRISSUR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Maldives today after making a brief stop in Kerala today. It is his first international visit since becoming prime minister for his second term. PM Modi, who reached Kochi, in Kerala late last night, offered prayers at the Guruvayur temple (also known as the Guruvayoor Sri Krishna Temple) this morning. Prime Minister Modi then addressed a public meeting at the Guruvayur Sree Krishna HS ground.
From Kerala, PM Modi began his official visit to the Maldives and Sri Lanka. "These visits indicate the importance we attach to the policy of 'Neighbourhood First' and will further cement ties with key maritime neighbours," PM Modi tweeted ahead of his visit. During his visit to the Maldives, PM Modi addressed the Maldivian Parliament. He also met President Ibrahim Solih, following which a number of agreements were signed including budgetary support by India for development projects in Maldives. Both PM Modi and the Maldivian President jointly inaugurated two defence projects - a coastal surveillance radar system and composite training centre for the Maldives National Defence Forces or MNDF. PM Modi was also honoured with the Order of Nishanizzuddeen, a prestigious award given by the Government of Maldives.
Here are the Highlights from PM Narendra Modi's Maldives visit:
PM Modi took to twitter to thank Maldives today. "I thank members of the @mvpeoplesmajlis for being a part of today's programme. My speech covered aspects of bilateral ties between our nations, the need to eliminate terror, working together to combat climate change and other issues."
"Humbled to receive The Most Honourable Order of the Distinguished Rule of Nishan Izzuddeen. I dedicate this award to the values and ethos of India, as well as the ever lasting friendship between India and Maldives," he adds.
Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom is an extraordinary statesman who has served the Republic of Maldives with great diligence, PM Modi tweets.
Had an excellent meeting with President of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, tweets PM Modi. "Mr. @MohamedNasheed has always been a strong votary of robust relations between India and the Republic of Maldives. We had a wonderful meeting in Male, where a wide range of topics were discussed," PM Modi says in another tweet referring to the Speaker of the Parliament, former President Mohamed Nasheed.
PM Modi addresses the People's Majlis
On Democracy: Some months ago, the people of Maldives came together -- to achieve success as a democracy. Maldives has shown the world that ultimately, the winner is always the people of a democracy. Who was the most proud and happy about this success of Maldives? Your closest friend and the world's biggest democracy-India. Your success is an example and a motivation for the world.
On India-Maldives ties: India will always stand with Maldives. The relationship between India and Maldives is even older than history. India has stood with the Maldives in support of freedom, democracy, prosperity and peace. Whether it was for the 1988 incident, or the Tsunami of 2004 or the recent water-crisis. Neighborhood First' is our priority. Relations between India and Maldives are older than history. From time immemorial, blue waters have washed our shores. They have also nourished our cultures and civilisations.
In 1988, a group of Maldivians led by Abdullah Luthufi and assisted by armed mercenaries of a Tamil secessionist organisation from Sri Lanka attempted to overthrow the government in the Maldives.
On Terrorism: Terrorism is the biggest threat in today's times. Not a single day goes by around the world when terrorism does not claim the life of an innocent. It is a grave misfortune that even now some people resort to the fallacy of distinguishing between the so-called 'good' and 'bad' terrorists. State sponsorship of terrorism is the biggest threat today. It is time for a global conference on terrorism.
I am happy that Maldives is working towards sustainable development and has become a part of the International Solar Alliance, says PM Modi. "Indo-Pacific region is an inalienable part of our existence. It has been our lifeline, and also the highway for trade and prosperity."
"I felt great to have announced today that India will contribute in conservation of Maldives' Friday Mosque. There's no such mosque elsewhere in the world like this historical mosque made up of coral," PM Modi says.
Watch: PM Modi addresses the People's Majlis, the Parliament of Maldives
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at the People's Majlis, the Parliament of Maldives, reports news agency ANI.
India and Maldives sign MoUs
- MoU for Cooperation in the Field of Hydrography.
- MoU on Cooperation in the field of Health.
- MoU for the Establishment of Passenger and Cargo Services by Sea.
- MoU for Cooperation in Customs Capacity Building between the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs of India and the Maldives Customs Service.
- MoU between National Centre for Good Governance, Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances and Maldives Civil Service Commission on Training and Capacity Building Programme for Maldivian Civil Servants.
- Technical Agreement on Sharing White Shipping Information between the Indian Navy and the Maldives National Defence Force.
A Composite Training Centre and a Coastal Surveillance Radar System were also jointly inaugurated during PM Modi's visit to Maldives.
We have agreed to start ferry service between Kochi and Male, says PM Modi.
PM Modi's address in Maldives
PM Modi thanks Maldives for honouring him with 'Nishan Izzuddeen' today. "It is not just an honour conferred upon me, but it is respect given to the friendship and relations between our two countries," he says.
People of both nations want stability and development, he says. "India has always stood by Maldives."
By issuing RuPay Card in Maldives, there will be an increase in the number of Indian tourists in Maldives, PM Modi says. "We will soon take measures in this direction. Also, there have been discussions over making the defense services stronger in Maldives."
Watch: PM Modi addresses joint press meet with Maldives President
Maldives Confers Highest Honour 'Nishan Izzuddeen' On PM Modi
PM Narendra Modi conferred with Maldives' highest honour accorded to foreign dignitaries, "The Most Honourable Order of the Distinguished Rule of Nishan Izzuddeen", reports news agency ANI.
PM Modi's Gift To Maldives President
PM Narendra Modi and President of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih hold a meeting in Male.
WATCH: PM Modi inspects guard of honour at Republic Square in Male
PM Modi receives ceremonial welcome and guard of honour at Republic Square in Male, reports news agency ANI.
PM Modi tweets after reaching the Republic of Maldives
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Republic Square in Male. He was received by President of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
PM Modi arrives in Maldives
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Maldives on his first foreign visit after re-election. He was received at Male airport by Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid.
PM Modi shared a picture of Thulabharam from Sri Krishna temple
Maldives to confer highest foreign dignitary honour on PM Modi
PM Modi tweeted after adressing workers in Kerala:
Kerala as dear to me as Varanasi: PM Moidi speaking in KeralaPrime Minister Narendra Modi today said political parties and pundits failed to gauge the public mood ahead of the Lok Sabha election and thanked the electorate for reposing confidence in the saffron party.
In his first public engagement after leading the BJP to a grand victory in the general election, retaining power for a successive term, PM Modi said he made Kerala his first stop after the win despite having no MP from the state since it was as dear to him as his constituency Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.
Terming the just concluded Lok Sabha election to 542 seats as a "festival of democracy," PM Modi lauded and thanked the electorate of Kerala for their contribution to it.
The country has seen that "people are God" in elections, he said.
"Political parties and political pundits could not gauge people''s mood. So did those involved in conducting (poll) surveys. But people gave a strong mandate for the BJP," he said and thanked the voters for choosing his party.
The recent polls proved that people rejected "negativity" and accepted positivity, he said.
On making Kerala his first stop post the Lok Sabha polls win, PM Modi said some would have even wondered why he chose the southern state despite BJP "not opening its account" from here in the Parliament.
But an elected leader was common to all, he said.
"Elections have their place in democracy and it is the responsibility of the winner to take care of 130 crore people. Those who made us win or those who did not, both are our (people). Kerala is as dear to me as Varanasi is," PM Modi said.
The BJP was not working for mere electoral politics and was keen on building the country and ensuring India gets its place of pride in the international arena, Modi added.
On the Nipah virus issue, he said the Centre was working "shoulder-to-shoulder" with the Kerala government to provide all required assistance
Watch | PM Modi speaks at Guruvayur in Kerala
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered prayers at the Lord Krishna temple today.
He also performed the thulabharam ritual for which the temple authorities had reportedly arranged over 100 kg of lotus flowers.
The ritual is an important offering to Lord Krishna wherein a person is weighed against a commodity such as flowers, grains, fruits and similar articles and the equal value or quantity is offered as donation.
The prime minister spent around 20 minutes inside the temple before returning to the nearby temple guest house by foot.
Wearing a traditional Kerala dhoti and white shawl, PM Modi was received at the temple gate by the authorities with a traditional poornakumbh.
He was accompanied by Kerala Governor P Sathasivam, Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan and Kerala Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran.
PM Modi took a three-minute walk to the temple from the nearby Sreevatsam guest house.
"The Guruvayur Temple is divine and magnificent. Prayed at this iconic Temple for the progress and prosperity of India," PM Modi tweeted.
WATCH: PM Modi visits Kerala's Guruvayur Temple
PM Modi reaches Guruvayur to offer prayers at Lord Krishna templePrime Minister Narendra Modi reached Guruvayur this morning to offer prayers at the famed Lord Krishna temple. He left Kochi at 9.20 a.m and his helicopter landed at Sree Krishna College at 9.50 am.
The prime minister reached here in a special naval helicopter from the Kochi naval airport.
After an hour-long ''darshan'' at the temple, the prime minister will address a party meeting - Abhinandan Sabha - being organised by the BJP Kerala State committee.
This will be PM Modi's first public meeting after assuming the chair of the prime minister for a second consecutive term.
He arrived in Kochi late Friday night and was received at the naval airport by Kerala Governor P Sathasivam, Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan and state Devaswam Minister Kadakampally Surendran.
He stayed at the Government Guest House in Kochi.
PM Modi Arrives In Kerala's Thrissur To Offer Prayers At The Sri Krishna Temple In Guruvayur
Security Tightened At Sri Krishna Temple In Guruvayur, Kerala
PM Narendra Modi Arrived In Kerala On Friday Night
PM Modi's Schedule In Maldives
Both PM Modi and the Maldivian President will jointly inaugurate two defence projects - a coastal surveillance radar system and composite training centre for the Maldives National Defence Forces or MNDF. PM Modi will also be honoured with the Order of Nishanizzuddeen, a prestigious award given by the Government of Maldives.
PM Modi's Schedule In Maldives
During his visit to the Maldives, PM Modi will address the Maldivian Parliament. He will also meet President Ibrahim Solih, following which a number of agreements are expected to be signed including budgetary support by India for development projects in Maldives.
What PM Modi Said Ahead Of His Visit To Maldives And Sri Lanka
"These visits indicate the importance we attach to the policy of 'Neighbourhood First' and will further cement ties with key maritime neighbours," PM Modi tweeted ahead of his visit.
From Kerala, PM Modi will begin his two-day official visit to the Maldives and Sri Lanka - his first as prime minister after assuming office for his second term.
PM Modi, who reached Kochi, in Kerala late last night, will offer prayers at the Guruvayoor temple (also known as the Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Temple) this morning. He will also address a public meeting or rally at the Guruvayoor Sree Krishna HS ground at around 10 am.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a brief stop in Kerala today, on his way to the Maldives, which is his first international visit since becoming prime minister for his second term.