India’s Minister of External Affairs, Dr. S. Jaishankar, is set to arrive in the Maldives on Friday for an official visit, as confirmed by the Maldivian Foreign Ministry in a statement released on Thursday. The visit, scheduled from August 9th to August 11th, comes at the invitation of Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer and highlights the growing diplomatic ties between the two neighboring countries.
During his visit, Dr. Jaishankar is expected to meet with Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu for a courtesy call, further emphasizing the importance of the bilateral relationship. Additionally, Dr. Jaishankar will engage in official talks with his Maldivian counterpart, Foreign Minister Zameer, to review and enhance the existing cooperation between the two nations.
A key focus of the discussions will be the inauguration of several completed projects under the High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDP) and the Line of Credit facility provided by the Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank). These projects are part of India’s broader commitment to supporting the development of the Maldives, particularly in areas such as capacity building, commerce, and trade. The visit will also witness the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further strengthen cooperation in these critical areas.
This visit marks Dr. Jaishankar’s first trip to the Maldives since he assumed office for his second term in June. The ongoing diplomatic exchanges underscore the close relationship between India and the Maldives, which has seen significant growth in recent years.
Earlier in June, President Muizzu had a productive meeting with Dr. Jaishankar during his official visit to India for the inauguration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s second term. The meeting highlighted the strong ties and shared interests between the two nations.
The visit of Dr. Jaishankar is part of a series of high-level engagements between India and the Maldives. Recently, Maldivian Foreign Minister Zameer also paid an official visit to India. Additionally, Maldivian Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal is currently in India, promoting the Maldives as a premier tourist destination.
Dr. Jaishankar’s visit is expected to further solidify the partnership between India and the Maldives, paving the way for enhanced cooperation in various sectors and contributing to the continued prosperity and stability of the region.
