Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a warm hug from Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu as he arrived at the airport in Male on Friday. Maldives Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, Finance Minister and Minister of Homeland Security were also present when PM Modi landed in Male, reported news agency IANS.

PM Modi said that he is "deeply touched" by Muizzu's gesture of coming to the airport to receive him and expressed confidence that the ties between the two nations will scale new heights of progress in the coming times.

"Landed in Male. Deeply touched by the gesture of President Muizzu to come to the airport to welcome me. I am confident that India-Maldives friendship will scale new heights of progress in the times to come," PM Modi posted on X.