Important issues will be discussed(discussed)

Male: India’s Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said on Friday that Maldives holds an important place in India’s ‘Neighborhood First’ policy and he is hopeful of “meaningful dialogue” with the leadership of the archipelago nation. Jaishankar has arrived here on a three-day official visit to re-establish bilateral relations with the Maldives. (discussed) This is the first high-level visit from India after pro-China President Mohammed Muizzu took office in the archipelago country last year. Relations between India and Maldives became quite bitter after Muizzu, who is considered pro-China, took over the top office in November 2023.

‘Happy to reach Maldives’

Jaishankar said in a post on the social media platform ‘X’, “Happy to reach Maldives. Thanks to Foreign Minister Musa Jamir for welcoming me at the airport. Maldives holds an important place in our ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and ‘SAGAR’ approach. He said, “I am looking forward to meaningful talks with the leadership.” Jamir said that he is happy to welcome Jaishankar on his official visit to Maldives. He said in his post on ‘X’, “Meaningful discussions are expected to further strengthen the historical relations between Maldives and India.” Jaishankar will meet President Muizzu This is Jaishankar’s first official visit to Maldives since assuming office for the second term in June 2024. His last visit was in January 2023. Jaishankar’s three-day visit till August 11 is taking place at the invitation of his Maldivian counterpart Musa Jamir. Jaishankar is expected to pay a courtesy call on President Muizzu and also hold official talks with Jamir to review the existing bilateral cooperation. There should be strong relations between the two countries
The Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement before Jaishankar’s visit, “Maldives is a major maritime neighbor of India and an important partner in India’s ‘Neighborhood First’ policy and our ‘SAGAR’ vision i.e. security and development for all in the entire region.” The ministry said, “The purpose of this visit is to strengthen the close partnership between the two countries and to find ways to further advance bilateral relations.” According to a statement by the Maldives Foreign Ministry, the two ministers will inaugurate high impact community development projects and completed projects under the credit facility of the Exim Bank of India and exchange MoUs on capacity building, commerce and trade sectors.