Indian External Affairs Minister to visit Maldives next Sunday

Minister of External Affairs of India, Sushma Swaraj is scheduled to make an imminent official visit to Maldives.

‘Sun’ has been informed Swaraj will arrive in Maldives on Sunday, and during her visit, will sign documents for facilitation of essential goods and construction sand and gravel imported to Maldives from India.

In an interview to Public Service Media (PSM), Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid announced that the Indian government was scheduled to award Maldives convenient facilities to import the essential food products Maldives needs from India.

He said that the arrangement was for a period of three years, and would take effect this coming week.

Shahid also announced that India will lift its ban on construction sand and gravel within this coming week.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs is yet to officially confirm Swaraj’s upcoming visit.

Bilateral ties between Maldives and India have been reinforced during President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s presidency.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a half-day visit to attend Solih’s inauguration on November 17, 2018. And Solih’s first state visit to a foreign country since assuming office was to India.

In Solih's presidency the relationship between India and Maldives have been improving. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Maldives for President Solih's inauguration. President Solih also made his very first official trip to India.