President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to pay an official visit to the Maldives next year.

The President made the announcement in a joint press statement after meeting Modi during his ongoing state visit to India.

"I have invited Prime Minister Modi to pay an official visit to Maldives next year to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of relations between Maldives and India," he said.

If Modi accepts the invitation, it will be his third trip to the Maldives as Prime Minister of India. He previously visited the Maldives for the swearing-in ceremony of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in 2018 and made a state visit in 2019.

After assuming office in November last year, Muizzu visited China and criticized India upon returning to the Maldives.

Relations between the two countries also deteriorated after senior government officials insulted Modi on social media.

However, relations have been improving since Muizzu attended Modi's swearing-in ceremony in June.