Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu will tour India on October 6 for his first bilateral visit to the country, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday.

This is his second visit to India this year.

"President of the Republic of Maldives, H.E. Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, will be travelling to India on a State visit on 6-10 October, 2024. This will be the first bilateral visit of President Dr. Muizzu to India," read a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs.

During his visit to India, Muizzu will meet Indian President Droupadi Murmu and hold bilateral talks with PM Narendra Modi.

"President Dr. Muizzu will also visit Mumbai and Bengaluru where he would be attending business events," read the MEA statement.

Muizzu had earlier visited India in June when he attended the swearing-in ceremony of PM Narendra Modi after returning to power for the third straight term.

Muizzu had changed the trend since he visited China and Turkiye after coming to power, unlike his predecessors who reached India on their first overseas visit.

Before coming to power, Muizzu's entire poll campaign was based on 'India Out'.

The removal of Indian troops was also part of the campaign.

The withdrawal of Indian troops was completed this year.

Maldives is India's key maritime neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and holds a special place in Prime Minister's vision of ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and India’s ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’, MEA said.