Inputs by Shuchi Giridhar
The President of Maldives, Mr. Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, arrived in New Delhi for a four- day visit on Monday, 1st August.
He has been invited by the Indian Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi.
During this visit, the President will meet India’s President Sushri Draupadi Murmu.
He has discussed certain matters with the PM. The Maldives President will also hold talks with an Indian business delegation in Delhi. He will also visit Mumbai and Maharashtra to attend business events.
Maldives holds a special place in India’s neighbourhood first policy being India’s key maritime neighbour in the Indian Ocean area.
The partnership in all areas of cooperation between Maldives and India have increased rapidly in the past few years.
The ‘India first’ policy of Maldives and ‘neighbourhood first’ policy of India work together.
Ever since President Solih took charge in 2018, the bond between Maldives and India has grown stronger. President Solih’s first overseas trip as president was to India in December 2018. PM Modi attended President Solih’s swearing in ceremony as President.
About a week ago, Maj Gen Abdulla Shamaal, Chief of Maldivian Defence Forces, visited India.
Our external affairs minister Jai Shankar handed over a coastal radar system to the country during a visit to the Maldives.
Common view is shared by the two countries in aspect to the maritime security problems in the Indian Ocean.
The key pillar on the relationship of the two countries is cooperation on development. India has so far provided 1.2 billion dollars(₹94,11,04,80,000) to Maldives for development.
Images from the Twitter of President Solih
