The Minister of External Affairs of India Dr. S. Jaishankar arrived on an Official Visit to the Maldives on Saturday.
The External Affairs Minister was received at Gan International Airport, Addu City by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid, Addu City Mayor Ali Nizar, Members of the People's Majlis Addu constituency and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Foreign Ministry said the two Ministers will hold official bilateral talks during which they will review progress in the many development projects being implemented in the country under the Indian grant and loan schemes. They will also exchange views on matters of mutual interest on issues of regional and international concern.
In addition, Minister Jaishankar and Minister Shahid will witness the signing of the Peering Agreement for connectivity between the Higher Education Network of Maldives and the National Knowledge Network of India and jointly launch the network.
Minister Jaishankar will also witness the signing of Memorandum of Understanding for reciprocal recognition of Covid vaccination certificate which would facilitate easier travel between India and Maldives.
The Minister of External Affairs of India is visiting Maldives to participate in the inauguration ceremony of the National College of Policing and Law Enforcement (NCPLE) in Addu City, established under Indian grant assistance. During the visit, he will call on the President of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
Minister of External Affairs will also participate in the inauguration ceremony of the rehabilitation centre and the Tourism Zone in Addu City developed under the Indian High Impact Community Development scheme. He will also witness the ground-breaking of the Addu Roads and Storm Water Drainage System Project and the contract awarding ceremony of Addu reclamation project, both funded under the Line of Credit facilitated by the Government of India. In addition, Minister Jaishankar will be inaugurating the Expanded Coastal Radar System.
This is Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar’s third visit to the Maldives, in his capacity as the Minister of External Affairs of India and his first to Addu City. His last visit to the Maldives was in February 2021.
