Sushma Swaraj to begin two-day visit to Maldives from March 17

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will begin her two-day visit to the Maldives from March 17 aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. She will be accompanied by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale and other senior officials.

During her visit, Swaraj will have bilateral meetings with her counterpart Abdulla Shahid and delegation-level meetings with other Ministers including Minister of Health Abdulla Ameen, Minister of Defence Mariya Ahmed Didi and Minister of Finance Ibrahim Ameer.

“The Ministers will review the entire gamut of bilateral relations and discuss the future programme of action,” Ministry of External Affairs said on Saturday.

Swaraj will call on the Speaker of Parliament Qasim Ibrahim upon her arrival on March 17, followed by a meeting with Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on March 18.

“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,” the statement added.