Indian PM concludes state visit to Maldives

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his state visit to Maldives and departed to his next destination – Sri Lanka – this Sunday morning.

He was seen off at the Velana International Airport by Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

Modi had arrived in Maldives last Saturday on his first trip abroad since getting re-elected for a second term as Prime Minister.

Modi, during his visit, presided over official high-level talks between the two governments and the exchange of 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, and Agreement on Passenger and Cargo Ferry Services.

 He also remotely inaugurated the coastal radar surveillance system established in Maldives and the military training center built in Lh. Maafilaafushi – both of which were funded by his government.

Modi was also conferred the Order of the Distinguished Rule of Izzudeen, in recognition of his services to cement the longstanding, amicable ties between Maldives and India, and for the magnanimous assistance that the Indian government has continued to provide Maldives under Modi’s stewardship.

The highlight of his visit was his address to the Maldivian Parliament, People’s Majlis.

During his address, Modi announced that the Indian government wasn’t awarding credit facilities to Maldives with any intention of setting a debt trap.

Modi, during his visit, held separate meetings with Vice President Faisal Naseem; the leader of Jumhoory Party, Qasim Ibrahim; former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom; and Home Minister Sheikh Imran Abdulla.

Dhivehiraajjeyge lobuvethi rayyithun,

Dhivehiraajjein libunu loibaai, dhivehin behettevi gaaikamah shukuruverivan. Thiya dhevvi furihama mehmaandhaari ah dhivehi rayyithunnashaai dhivehi sarukaarah shukuru dhannavan. pic.twitter.com/w0NbaWXXBg

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 9, 2019

Before concluding his visit and departing to Sri Lanka, Modi issued short statements via his official Twitter account thanking the Maldivian people and the government for its hospitality, and declaring that the visit will “will lead to stupendous outcomes, adding vigor to bilateral ties.”