Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was accorded an official state welcome in Malé on Monday morning, as he begins a day of high-level talks aimed at deepening ties between the Maldives and Malaysia.
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu received Anwar at a special ceremony held at Republic Square, attended by members of the Maldivian Cabinet and senior officials accompanying the Malaysian leader on his state visit.
The ceremony began with a cultural performance by school children before a 21-gun salute was fired in honour of the Malaysian prime minister.
The national anthems of the Maldives and Malaysia were then played, after which Anwar inspected a Guard of Honour assembled for the occasion.
During the inspection, Anwar briefly paused upon reaching the Malaysian flag to pay his respects before continuing along the Guard of Honour.
Senior officials from the Maldives were subsequently introduced to the visiting prime minister, while members of the Malaysian delegation were presented to President Muizzu.
The formal welcome sets the stage for official bilateral talks between Muizzu and Anwar, with both governments looking to build on the longstanding relationship between Malé and Kuala Lumpur.
Discussions are expected to cover bilateral relations, opportunities to expand cooperation across different sectors and greater coordination between the two countries on international issues.
The two leaders are also expected to preside over the signing of several agreements aimed at strengthening cooperation between the Maldives and Malaysia.
Anwar arrived in the Maldives on Sunday evening for a two-day state visit from September 14 to 15, with President Muizzu personally receiving him at Velana International Airport.
The visit comes at Muizzu’s invitation, which was extended during the President’s official trip to Malaysia in April 2025.
It is Anwar’s first visit to the Maldives since becoming Malaysia’s prime minister in November 2022.
His programme in the Maldives will also include separate courtesy calls by Vice President Uz Hussain Mohamed Latheef, People’s Majlis Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla and Foreign Minister Dr Abdulla Khaleel.
The visit comes as the Maldives and Malaysia mark 58 years of diplomatic relations, which were formally established in 1968.
Relations between the two countries have since expanded across education, trade, tourism, development and other areas, alongside regular high-level political engagement.
Malaysia has also developed particularly strong people-to-people links with the Maldives, with the country remaining a popular destination for Maldivians pursuing higher education, healthcare, business and holidays.
President Muizzu’s visit to Malaysia last year provided fresh momentum to the relationship, with the two governments seeking to identify new areas for economic and development cooperation.
Monday’s talks and the agreements expected to be signed during Anwar’s visit are set to further expand that relationship as the two countries look towards closer cooperation in the years ahead.
