New Delhi, Nov 9 (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the swearing-in ceremony of new Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on November 17, the External Affairs Ministry said on Friday.

"The Prime minister has accepted the invitation with pleasure," Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said at a media briefing here. "In keeping with our Neighbourhood First Policy, India looks forward to closely working with Maldives in further deepening our partnership," he added. Modi will return to New Delhi the same night. Solih, the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party's candidate, emerged victorious over incumbent Abdulla Yameen.

His term is expected to continue until 2023. The island nation's relations with India became strained during Yameen's rule, with tensions peaking after New Delhi criticised Male's refusal to enforce a Supreme Court ruling quashing the convictions of nine opposition figures, among them former President Mohamed Nasheed.