Indian PM arrives in Maldives in first trip abroad since election

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Maldives in his first trip abroad since his party’s victory in the national elections held in India in May.

Modi was received upon arrival at Velana International Airport this Saturday afternoon by Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid, Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer and Indian Ambassador Sunjay Sudhir.

The official reception to welcome Modi to Maldives will be held at the Republic Square in Male’ City at 3:30 pm.

After the reception, Modi will retire to the President’s Office for his official meeting with Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

Maldives and India will exchange six key agreements, after which Modi and Solih will deliver a joint press statement.

THE SIX AGREEMENTS

• Cooperation in the Field of Health
• Capacity Building for Maldivian Civil Servants
• MoU on Hydrography and Ocean Economy
• MoU on Sharing White Shipping Information Between Maldives and India
• Cooperation on Customs Capacity Building
• Agreement on Passenger and Cargo Services Ferry

Modi, after the events scheduled at the President’s Office, will travel to the Parliament where he will meet with Speaker of Parliament, President Mohamed Nasheed.

He is also scheduled to address the Parliament at 6:45 pm.

A banquet hosted by Solih in honor of Modi will be held at Kurumba Island Resort at 9 pm.

According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Indian delegation which accompanies Modi in his trip is made up of 10 government officials and 100 support staff.

Modi’s state visit marks his second visit to Maldives, following his visit to the country to attend President Solih’s inauguration in 2018.