Minister of External Affairs of India Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar has departed from the Maldives after a brief but productive visit.

The neighboring country’s EAM departed from Maafaru International Airport after concluding his two-day official visit, on Thursday. He was seen off at Maafaru International Airport by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Khaleel and senior officials at the foreign ministry.

Dr. Jaishankar arrived in the Maldives on January 18.

Upon arrival, he paid a courtesy call on President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and also met his counterpart, Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid.

At the meeting, both ministers reviewed the development cooperation projects between the neighbors and engaged in talks regarding solidifying collaboration in multiple avenues.

Dr. Jaishankar and FM Shahid also engaged in discussions regarding projects currently in various stages of implementation, under the grants and five lines of credit extended to the Maldivian government from the Indian government, through the Export Import Bank of India.

As part of the visit, FM Shahid and Dr. Jaishankar also observed the exchange of three key agreements . They include the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of MVR 100 million to undertake additional high impact community development projects, an MoU for the establishment of a sports complex in Gadhdhoo island of Gaaf Dhaal atoll and an MoU on capacity building to facilitate exchanges and co-operative initiative between Maldives National University and Cochin University of Science and Technology.

The visit also saw India’s EAM attending the groundbreaking ceremony of Hanimaadhoo International Airport Development Project in Haa Dhaal atoll being constructed under the Indian line of credit facilitated by the government of India, valued at USD 136.63 million.

Moreover, FM Shahid and Dr. Jaishankar jointly inaugurated the Shaviyani Foakaidhoo Community Centre. The project was valued at MVR 5.2 million and was completed under the Indian grant assistance scheme of MVR 106 million provided back in 2019.

The visit also saw India’s EAM visiting Utheem island in Haa Alif atoll, where he toured the historical sites.

FM Shahid and Dr. Jaishankar agreed to further intensify the cooperation and enhance the partnership between both countries.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that the visit marked a significant milestone in strengthening the bilateral relations between Maldives and India.