PM welcomes return of Maldives to Commonwealth

The Maldives had joined the Commonwealth in 1982, but withdrew its membership in 2016.

"I heartily congratulate President @ibusolih, Speaker @MohamedNasheed and the people of The Maldives on readmission to the @commonwealthsec.

"We warmly welcome The Maldives in the Commonwealth and look forward to The Maldives playing a larger role in the comity of nations and realising the full potential as well as aspirations of its people," the PM tweeted.

The Commonwealth is a key grouping of countries, most of which are former territories of the British Empire.