NEW DELHI: As the recent thaw in India-Maldives ties holds, Maldives foreign minister Abdulla Khaleel arrived in India for a bilateral visit. He’s 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 India’s development support, trade, health and defence and security. Despite their initial differences over the presence of Indian defence 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 for PM Modi to visit the country this year. President Mohamed Muizzu had invited Modi last year during his India visit. Modi had accepted the invitation.
The visit by Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu last year saw India and its neighbour saying that as natural partners, they resolved to work together in advancing maritime and security cooperation for the benefit of peoples of both India and Maldives.
