Indian Foreign Secretary’s Maldives visit to elevate strategic ties in Indian Ocean

New Delhi: Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla will pay an official visit to the Maldives on November 9-10 eyeing to further partnership with Male, one of India’s key neighbours which has transformed relations since Ibu Solih was voted to power.

The visit will be the first high level in-person interaction between the two sides since the disruption caused by Covid-19 pandemic. Ties have been expanded over the past few months notwithstanding the pandemic with India extending Line of Credit for infrastructure projects and supporting other development projects. The projects are being executed at a fast pace as Male seeks to implement India First policy.

The Foreign Secretary is scheduled to call-on President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and have substantive discussions with the Ministers for Foreign Affairs, Defence, Finance, Economic Development, Planning, Home Affairs, Tourism and Youth & Sports. FS will also call-on Speaker Mohamed Nasheed and meet with other political leaders.

Maldives occupies a special place in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy. This time-tested and enduring relationship with the Maldives strengthened and deepened even further in recent months. India has also responded to the Maldives in extending assistance in dealing with the Covid crisis.

Foreign Secretary will review the entire gamut of bilateral ties, the progress of ongoing bilateral projects, and hold discussions on the ongoing COVID situation, including India’s continued assistance to the Maldives for its post-Covid economic recovery, according to a MEA statement.





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