New Delhi, Mar 17 (UNI) External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Sunday left for the Maldives on a two-day visit where she and her delegation will hold talks with her counterpart Abdulla Shahid on a wide range of bilateral and regional issues.
"Consolidating the upswing in our relationship. EAM Sushma Swaraj departs for Maldives on a 2-day bilateral visit at the invitation of Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid. Her engagements include call on President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and meeting with other important dignitaries," MEA spokesman Raveesh Kumar tweeted.
According to an official release here on Saturday, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale and other senior officials are also part of the official delegation.
Ms Swaraj will call on Mr Solih on Monday.
Maldivian Minister of Home Affairs Sheikh Imran Abdulla will also call on Ms Swaraj.
During her visit, the External Affairs Minister will have bilateral meeting with Foreign Minister Shahid.
There will be delegation-level meetings with the Minister of Defence Mariya Ahmed Didi, Minister of Finance Ibrahim Ameer, Minister of National Planning and Infrastructure Mohamed Aslam, Minister of Health Abdulla Ameen, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Aishath Nahula, Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage Yumna Maumoon, Minister of Environment, Hussain Rasheed Hassan, and Minister of Economic Development Fayyaz Ismail, the release said.
"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 the Maldives," the release said.
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