Maldivian President arrives; to hold talks with PM Modi on Monday

Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom arrived here today on a two-day visit during which he will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on ways to expand cooperation between the two countries, particularly in areas of trade, investment and maritime security.

The Maldivian President was received at the airport by Minister of Tourism and Culture Mahesh Sharma.

Gayoom is accompanied by a delegation including Minister of Foreign Affairs Dunya Maumoon, Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture Mohamed Shainee and three members of the Maldivian Parliament.

He will hold extensive talks with Modi tomorrow during which they are expected to explore ways to step up bilateral engagement in a range of areas including trade, investment and maritime security, sources said. The two sides would also ink a number of agreements to bolster bilateral engagement.

Gayoom will also call on President Pranab Mukherjee. Amid concerns over militant groups like ISIS attempting to radicalise the citizens of the archipelago nation, Maldives is in talks with India for setting up a bilateral counter-terrorism mechanism.

India and Maldives commemorated 50 years of diplomatic relations last year.

President Gayoom’s first state visit after assuming office was to India in January 2014. He was among the SAARC leaders who had attended the swearing-in of Modi in May, 2014.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had visited Maldives in November 2014 and again in October 2015 for the India-Maldives Joint Commission which was held after 15 years.