Male, Maldives (CU)_ Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih will embark on a four-day visit to India in August with the intention of strengthening the existing robust connection between the two nations. One of the most important maritime neighbors of India in the Indian Ocean Region is the Maldives, and bilateral relations between the two nations, especially in the defense and security sectors, have been on the rise in recent years.
According to Arindam Bagchi, the External Affairs Ministry representative, “At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, President of the Republic of Maldives, will pay an official visit to India from August 1-4”. President Solih will be joined by a high-level official and corporate delegation. According to Mr. Bagchi, the president of the Maldives will meet with the newly elected Indian President Droupadi Murmu and will have discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
S Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs, will also meet with President Solih. In addition to his formal obligations in New Delhi, President Solih will also participate in commercial events in Mumbai. Mr Bagchi stated, “President Solih’s upcoming official visit will provide an opportunity for the two leaders to review the progress made in this wide-ranging partnership and impart direction to the two sides that will lend further momentum to this partnership”.
According to him, being the most important neighbor of India in the Indian Ocean Region, the Maldives holds a special place in India’s “Neighborhood First Policy.” Mr Bagchi said, “In recent years, the partnership has witnessed rapid growth in all areas of cooperation”. The news of President Solih’s India visit was made on the same day when Major General Abdulla Shamaal, the Maldivian Defense Forces Chief, met with Army Chief General Manoj Pande in Delhi.
