New Delhi, July 23 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit the Maldives during July 25-26 where he will be the guest of honour at the Indian Ocean archipelago's Independence Day celebrations, foreign secretary Vikram Misri said on Tuesday. Modi will travel from the UK to the Maldives, where he will be the first foreign head of government to be hosted by President Mohamed Muizzu. Modi's presence as guest of honour at the Maldivian Independence Day celebrations will mark a significant turnaround in bilateral ties that turned frosty because of the policies of Muizzu, who came to power on the back of an "India Out" campaign in late 2023. Misri attributed the turnaround in ties to India's working hard on the relationship. "There will always be events that will impact or try to intrude on the relationship. But I think this is testimony to the kind of attention that has been paid to the relationship, including attention at the highest levels. We've continued to work at it, and I think the result is there for you to see," he said. The Maldives is a "very important partner" in India's Neighborhood First policy MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision, Misri said. "We have always been the first on hand to respond to the needs of Maldives in times whenever it has faced crises...There has been a robust political relationship.bolstered by regular visits at high levels," he said. Both sides are engaged in discussions for an FTA and an investment treaty and new areas of cooperation include renewable energy and fisheries....