Singapore extended a ceremonial welcome to His Excellency President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Madam Sajidha Mohamed on the morning of June 30, 2025, marking the beginning of an official state visit aimed at strengthening longstanding diplomatic, economic, and people-to-people ties between the Republic of Maldives and the Republic of Singapore.
The welcoming ceremony took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore and was hosted by His Excellency Tharman Shanmugaratnam, President of Singapore, and First Lady Mrs Jane Ittogi Shanmugaratnam. The formal reception featured the playing of national anthems by the Singapore Armed Forces, followed by a ceremonial inspection of the Guard of Honour by both Heads of State. Senior officials from both countries were introduced to one another, underscoring the commitment at the highest levels to further deepen bilateral engagement.
The state visit, scheduled from June 30 to July 2, 2025, comes at a historically relevant juncture as the two countries commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, which began on February 20, 1975. The occasion not only reflects the maturity of a half-century of friendship and cooperation but also lays the groundwork for a renewed era of collaboration across key areas.
During the ceremony, President Dr Muizzu signed the Visitor’s Book at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a traditional gesture symbolizing the mutual respect and continued goodwill shared between the nations. The two Presidents also participated in an official photograph session to document the milestone visit.
President Dr Muizzu’s trip to Singapore is his first official visit to the country since taking office. According to the President’s Office, the visit includes high-level bilateral engagements with Singapore’s leadership aimed at advancing collaboration in several strategic domains. These include trade and investment, urban development, environmental sustainability, capacity-building, technical knowledge exchange, and multilateral cooperation.
Additionally, several key memoranda of understanding (MoUs) are expected to be finalized during the visit, further solidifying institutional linkages and paving the way for expanded cooperation. The President will also take part in a business forum designed to attract investment and foster trade partnerships, with a focus on enhancing Maldives–Singapore economic engagement.
President Dr Muizzu is also scheduled to meet with members of the Maldivian community residing in Singapore, a growing diaspora that plays an important role in building cultural and educational ties between the two nations.
The official welcome ceremony and subsequent diplomatic engagements reaffirm the shared values and mutual interests that have guided Maldives–Singapore relations for five decades. As the two island nations look to the future, this visit signals a mutual interest in elevating cooperation to address emerging regional and global challenges while advancing sustainable development and prosperity for both peoples.
advertisment
advertisment
