Minister's visit will 'further strengthen the close and friendly relations' with Maldives: India

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's visit to Maldives will "further strengthen the close and friendly relations" with Maldives, says India.

The minister is to arrive in the archipelago nation on a two-day official visit on Sunday, after having accepted an invitation by her Maldivian counterpart, Abdulla Shahid.

During her visit, Swaraj is to have a bilateral meeting with the foreign minister, as well as delegation level meetings with other government officials. This includes, Defence Minister Mariya Didi, Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer, Planning Minister Mohamed Aslam, Health Minister Abdulla Ameen, Transport Minister Aishath Nahula, Heritage Minister Yumna Maumoon, Environment Minister Dr. Hussain Rasheed and Economic Development Minister Fayyaz Ismail.

"The ministers will review the entire gamut of bilateral relations and discuss future programme of action," said India's External Affairs Ministry via a press release on Saturday.

She is also expected to meet with Home Minister Imran Abdulla on Monday, separately.

In addition, Minister Swaraj will call on President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Monday, while she is expected to meet with Parliament Speaker Qasim Ibrahim on Sunday.

"India attaches the highest importance to its relationship with the Maldives which is marked by trust, transparency, mutual understanding and sensitivity," reads the press release, further noting that "this visit will further strengthen the close and friendly relations between India and Maldives."

The Maldivian foreign ministry confirmed the Indian minister's visit on Thursday night, adding that both governments "will discuss ongoing and future collaboration arrangement, including the implementation of the agreed outcomes" of President Solih's state visit to India last December.

"It is expected that discussions will focus on development cooperation, cooperation in the field of health, and enhancing people-to-people contact," added the ministry.

While bilateral relations between Maldives and India had soured during former President Abdulla Yameen's five-year tenure, incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's administration has been working on fixing it. His first state visit since assuming office was to India, where he met with senior government officials, including Prime Minster Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind. Both parties also signed key agreements during this trip, including a visa agreement which came into effect this month.