Indian Prime Minister Welcomes Results Of Maldives' Presidential Vote - Press Release

Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi congratulated on Monday Maldivian opposition lawmaker Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on his victory in the country's presidential election and expressed hope that the Maldives would be developing democratically and peacefully under Solih's leadership, the Indian Foreign Ministry said.

NEW DELHI (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 24th September, 2018) Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi congratulated on Monday Maldivian opposition lawmaker Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on his victory in the country's presidential election and expressed hope that the Maldives would be developing democratically and peacefully under Solih's leadership, the Indian Foreign Ministry said.

Solih got more than 134,000 votes and beat the country's incumbent President Abdulla Yameen.

"Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi called Mr Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and congratulated him on his victory in the Presidential elections held in Maldives yesterday.

The Prime Minister also conveyed his good wishes for the strengthening of democracy, peace and prosperity in Maldives under the leadership of Mr Solih," the ministry said in a press release.

According to the ministry, Modi and Solih agreed to work closely on strengthening friendly relations between the two states.

The election was held on Sunday amid opposition's and human rights watchdogs' concerns over the transparency of the vote, who have also been criticizing the government for allegedly trying to silence dissent in the country and restricting the freedom of the media.