President and First Lady Attend State Banquet Hosted by Singaporean President

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed attended a state banquet yesterday hosted in their honour by Tharman Shanmugaratnam, President of the Republic of Singapore, and Jane Ittogi Shanmugaratnam, First Lady of Singapore.

During the banquet, President Muizzu thanked the Government and people of Singapore for their warm hospitality as he embarked on his first state visit to the country. He noted that the visit marks the golden jubilee of diplomatic relations between the Maldives and Singapore.

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President Muizzu observed that the Maldives–Singapore partnership predates the establishment of formal diplomatic ties, rooted in historic links through trade, people-to-people connections, and shared aspirations as young, independent nations.

“Our people looked to Singapore not just for goods, but for inspiration — for a model of what vision, discipline, and innovation can achieve. Over time, this bond matured into a trusted partnership that has played a critical role in shaping the Maldives’ development trajectory,” President Muizzu said while addressing the banquet.

 He recognised Singapore’s enduring generosity, ranging from humanitarian assistance in times of crisis to support in public administration and technical capacity-building. Concluding his address, the President expressed confidence in the growing potential for deeper bilateral cooperation.

“Let us continue to build on this remarkable partnership for the benefit of our future generations,” President Muizzu had said.

His Excellency President Dr @MMuizzu and First Lady Madam @sajidhaamohamed attend the state banquet held in their honour in Singapore by His Excellency President @Tharman_S and First Lady Mrs Jane Ittogi Shanmugaratnam.

Ahead of the state banquet, President Dr Muizzu and… pic.twitter.com/vBH2Nq3TYj— The President's Office (@presidencymv) June 30, 2025

In his remarks, President Shanmugaratnam emphasised the value of looking forward as close partners and learning from each other’s strengths. He cited the Maldives’ thriving luxury tourism sector and Singapore’s expertise in finance and trade as key areas of mutual interest. He welcomed the outcomes of official discussions held during the visit, including the signing of several memoranda of understanding. Acknowledging the shared vulnerabilities of small island states to global changes, President Shanmugaratnam underlined the importance of collaboration on international platforms to advocate for climate resilience and adaptation.

Cabinet ministers and senior officials from both governments also attended the banquet.

Earlier in the day, President Muizzu and President Shanmugaratnam jointly unveiled commemorative stamp designs celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the Maldives and Singapore.

The President and First Lady are in Singapore on a state visit from June 29 to July 2.