NEW DELHI: As the recent thaw in relations between India and Maldives continues, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives Abdulla Khaleel arrived in India for a bilateral visit. He is the first foreign minister to visit India in the new year and will meet his counterpart S. Jaishankar on Friday.
The two sides are expected to review bilateral cooperation in a range of areas, including supporting India’s development, trade, health, and defense and security. Despite their initial differences over the presence of Indian defense personnel in the archipelago and their subsequent withdrawal by India, the two sides have been able to work together to address common challenges in the Indian Ocean that have implications for their security and development. .
The Maldives is also expected to reiterate its invitation to Prime Minister Modi to visit the country this year. President Mohamed Muizzu had invited Modi last year during his visit to India. Modi had accepted the invitation.
At the visit of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu last year, India and its neighbor said that as natural partners, they resolved to work together to promote maritime and security cooperation for the benefit of the people of India and Maldives.