Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid has travelled to neighboring India on an official visit, in his capacity as President-elect of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

FM Shahid departed to New Delhi, India on Wednesday afternoon and his official visit comes at the invitation of the government of India.

The UNGA President-elect is expected to pay courtesy calls on the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi during his visit, where he will also be meeting with the Minister of External Affairs, Dr. S. Jaishankar.

While Shahid won the UNGA presidency in June, the Indian government had announced its support for him during Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla’s visit to Maldives in November 2020.

Shahid has already made appointments to his team, including India’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, K Nagaraj Naidu as his Chef de Cabinet.

FM Shahid will be hosted by the Foreign Secretary of India Harsh Vardhan Shringla, during his visit.

The UNGA President-elect is scheduled to deliver the 38th Sapru House Lecture at the Indian Council of World Affairs on July 23 as well. It will revolve on the topic “Presidency of Hope 76th UNGA: Covid-19 Pandemic and the need for reformed multilateralism”.

MP Hussain Shameem and Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mariyam Midhfa Naeem are accompanying the foreign minister during the trip.