PM Modi to hold delegation-level talks with Maldivian President today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldives' President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih will hold delegation level talks in New Delhi today. The two leaders are expected to discuss the entire gamut of bilateral relations. A number of agreements are expected to be signed after the talks. Maldivian President arrived in New Delhi yesterday on a three-day visit to India. 

The Maldivian President's visit comes nearly a month after Mr Modi attended Mr Solih's swearing-in ceremony in Male. Mr Solih will be accorded ceremonial reception at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan this morning. He will visit Rajghat and will pay homage to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi. 

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and External



Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will call on the visiting dignitary. Mr Solih will meet President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan this evening. The Maldivian President who is accompanied by his wife Fazna Ahmed will visit Agra tomorrow before heading back to Male.

 India is a leading development partner of Maldives and capacity building and skills development is one of the key components of India’s assistance to the island nation. 

Growing from modest beginnings, India-Maldives bilateral trade now stands at 700 crore rupees. Indians are the second largest expatriate community in the Maldives with an approximate strength of around 22 thousand.