Date:10/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/10/stories/2008111056161300.htm

National

Ansari to represent India at Maldives

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Vice-President Hamid Ansari will represent India at the swearing-in ceremony of Maldives’ new President, Mohammed Nasheed, on November 11.

Mr. Nasheed was elected to the office on October 28 in the first-ever multi-party polls to the top office. Mr. Nasheed’s victory in a run-off ended the three-decade reign of Abdul Gayoom as President of the country.

Mr. Ansari will also witness Mohammed Waheed Hassan take oath as Vice-President at the special ceremony.

Mr. Ansari will call on the new President and his deputy and also meet Mr. Gayoom.

He will interact with members of the Indian community at a reception hosted by the Indian High Commissioner to Maldives.

India and Maldives have enjoyed close and friendly relations given the historical, cultural and ethnic ties.

The ties have been symbolised by the establishment of the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital by India in 1995 and the ongoing construction of the Rs.50-crore Faculty of Hospital and Tourism Studies in Male.

India had welcomed the successful conclusion of the first multi-party Presidential elections there.