President leaves on State visit to India

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has departed to India on his first State visit to a foreign country.

Solih left for India this Sunday morning on a special plane sent by the Indian government.

He is accompanied on the trip by a high level delegation including First Lady Fathimath Fazna, Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid, Minister of Finance Ibrahim Ameer, Minister of National Planning and Infrastructure Mohamed Aslam and Minister of Economic Development Fayyaz Ismail.

During his visit Solih will meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indian President Ram Nath Kovind, and other senior officials of the Indian government, and hold discussions on ways to further bilateral relations between the two countries. And the Maldivian delegation will meet with Indian business leaders, and hold discussions on investment opportunities in Maldives.

“We are grateful to India for its continuous support and assistance to development of Maldives. I am confident the close bilateral cooperation will further strengthen and expand to multiple avenues in the times ahead,” said Solih, speaking to press at the airport.

Solih announced plans to sign a number of bilateral agreements between the two governments, one being an agreement on visa leniency.

“The two governments will sign a number of bilateral agreements on areas of cooperation – the most important agreement being the agreement on visa leniency,” said Solih.

He said the visa leniency agreement will ease the process of obtaining dependent visa and medical visa for Maldivian travelers to India.

The two governments are also scheduled to discuss financial assistance to support the Maldivian government’s budgetary needs.

“The other most important item on the agenda is discussions with the Indian government to obtain money to support the State budget,” said Solih.

Solih will also meet with the Maldivian community residing in India during the visit.