President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has departed on his two-day unofficial visit to neighboring India to attend an Indian Premier League (IPL) match.

The President’s Office on Saturday revealed that the President’s visit comes upon the official invitation of India’s cricket board.

President Solih had departed on the all-expenses-paid trip on Sunday morning.

Funded by the board, the trip was joined by Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid, Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment Ahmed Mahloof as well as some senior government officials.

Solih is scheduled to attend the IPL match between the Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings at 8pm in Bangalore on Sunday.

He is also scheduled to meet with Maldivians living in Bangalore during the trip.

President Solih will be returning to Maldives on Monday.

This is President Solih’s second visit to the neighboring country with which Maldives has held historic ties with, since assuming office in November 2018. While his maiden trip after being sworn in was to India, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had attended his swearing in ceremony.