External Affairs Minister, Dr. S Jaishankar, is embarked on a three-day official visit to the Maldives from August 9-11, 2024. This visit underscores the deepening ties between the two nations and follows closely after the recent visit of Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu to India, where he attended the swearing-in ceremony of the new Cabinet and Council of Ministers.
EAM S Jaishankar 3 Day Visit To Maldives
Why In News
- External Affairs Minister, Dr. S Jaishankar, is embarked on a three-day official visit to the Maldives from August 9-11, 2024. This visit underscores the deepening ties between the two nations and follows closely after the recent visit of Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu to India, where he attended the swearing-in ceremony of the new Cabinet and Council of Ministers.
About The Visit
- Dr. Jaishankar’s visit is strategically important, as it reflects India’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the Maldives, amid the recent political shifts in the diplomatic ties between the two nations.
- The Ministry of External Affairs said, the visit is aimed at strengthening the close partnership between the two countries and to explore avenues to enhance the bilateral relationship further.
What’s In Agenda
- During his stay, Dr. Jaishankar is scheduled to hold official talks with the Maldivian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Moosa Zameer. The discussions will center on reviewing the existing bilateral cooperation and identifying further areas of mutual interest.
- The two ministers will also preside over the inauguration of several completed projects under the High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDP) initiative and the Line of Credit facility provided by the EXIM Bank of India.
- One of the highlights of the visit will also be the exchange of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on key areas such as capacity building, commerce, and trade, which are expected to further cement the robust relationship between India and the Maldives.
- These agreements will play a crucial role in fostering economic and developmental cooperation between the two countries.
- In addition to his official engagements, Dr. Jaishankar will also pay a courtesy call on President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, during the high-level visit.
- Jaishankar and Zameer inaugurated a mental health unit, a speech therapy unit, education support unit, streetlights in different towns and atolls.
- An MoU between the National Centre for Good Governance and the Civil Service Commission for 1,000 additional slots for training Maldivian civil servants was also renewed on the occasion.
- Besides the high impact community development projects inaugurated, India will hand over water and sewerage projects across 28 islands in the Maldives.
- Jaishankar would be meeting the Madives Minister of Economic Development and the Minister of Finance. He would also meet the Defence Minister to take stock of the mutual defence and security engagement. The EAM added that India would also be hosting the third ‘Voice of the Global South’ Summit.
About India-Maldives Ties
- This visit marks Dr. Jaishankar’s first official trip to the Maldives since he assumed office for a second term in June 2024. His previous visit to the Maldives was in January 2023.
