Sushma Swaraj to visit Maldives tomorrow to hold delegation level meetings

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will be on an official state visit to the Maldives from March 17 to 18.

The External Affairs Minister will be visiting the South Asian island nation on the invitation of Maldivian counterpart Abdulla Shahid. She will be accompanied by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale and other senior officials.

According to a MEA press release, Swaraj will hold a bilateral meeting with Shahid during the visit.

She is also scheduled to attend delegation-level meetings with Maldivian Defence Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi, Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer, National Planning and Infrastructure Minister Mohamed Aslam, Health Minister Abdulla Ameen, Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Aishath Nahula, Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Yumna Maumoon, Environment Minister Dr. Hussain Rasheed Hassan and Economic Development Minister Fayyaz Ismail.

"The Ministers will review the entire gamut of bilateral relations and discuss the future programme of action," read the press release.

Swaraj will also call on Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on March 18 and Parliament Speaker Qasim Ibrahim on March 17.

Minister of Home Affairs Sheikh Imran Abdulla is scheduled to call on the External Affairs Minister on March 18.

The visit aims at further strengthening of the close and friendly relations between India and Maldives.

"India attaches the highest importance to its relationship with the Maldives which is marked by trust, transparency, mutual understanding and sensitivity. This visit will further strengthen the close and friendly relations between India and Maldives," read the press release.