Male/New Delhi, June 8: Minutes after being awarded that highest Maldivian honour to foreign dignitaries, 'The Most Honourable Order of the Distinguished Rule of Nishan Izzuddeen', Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted a cricket bat signed by the Indian team to President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

Informing the details, PM Modi took to Twitter and wrote, "Connected by cricket! My friend, President @ibusolih is an ardent cricket fan, so I presented him a cricket bat that has been signed by #TeamIndia playing at the #CWC19." PM Narendra Modi's Visit to Sri Lanka Will Send Message Country is Safe For Travel, Says Envoy Austin Fernando

Here's the tweet:

It is to be known that this is the first international visit of PM Modi after taking charge of the top post after Lok Sabha Elections 2019. In the recent-held General Elections, BJP secured a whopping 303 seats and has a strength of 353 MPs in the lower house of Parliament.

Since in both the countries, cricket is very popular and President Soleh too likes watching Indian Cricket team playing, the signed bat will send a positive message. Also, India is scheduled to play with New Zealand in their second match against New Zealand at Nottingham on Thursday.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 08, 2019 07:10 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).