President of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih is set to pay an official visit to India from Monday to Thursday along with a business delegation and have talks with President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to strengthen ties between the two countries.
According to the details, Solih will arrive at Air Force Station Palam at 2.50 pm on Monday. External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar will meet the Maldivian guest at 7 pm at Hotel ITC Maurya.
Informing about the visit, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, “He will be accompanied by a high level business delegation. During the visit, he will meet President Droupadi Murmu and hold talks with the Prime Minister. External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar will also call on the President.”
There will be a meeting between Modi and Solih at 11.30 am at Hyderabad House on Tuesday following by exchange of MoUs and joint press statements. On Tuesday evening, Solih is scheduled to meet President Droupadi Murmu at 4.30 pm.
Solih will enplane for Mumbai on Wednesday morning and participate in business events there. He will be holding discussion with the India business delegation, added the MEA spokesperson.
“Needless to say Maldives is India’s key neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region and occupies a special place in India’s neighbourhood first policy,” he said.
In recent years the partnership between the two countries has witnessed rapid growth in all areas of cooperation.
“The upcoming official visit will provide an opportunity for the two leaders to review the progress made in this wide ranging partnership and impart directions to the two sides that will add further momentum to the strong partnership that we have,” Bagchi said.
The Union Cabinet has recently approved an MoU between the two countries for judicial cooperation to accelerate court digitization and boost prospects for startups in both countries.
“In another reaffirmation of our Neighbourhood First policy, today the Cabinet approved signing of an MoU for Judicial Cooperation between India and Maldives. Will accelerate court digitization and boost prospects for IT companies and start-ups in both countries,” the External Affairs Minister tweeted.
