President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih concluded his one-day unofficial visit to India and returned to Maldives on Monday afternoon.

While President Solih departed to neighboring India upon the invitation of India’s cricket board on Sunday morning, he attended an Indian Premier League (IPL) match between the Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings held in Bangalore 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.

During his visit, the President also met with the Cricket Board and held discussions on structuring a cricket stadium in the Maldives, a vision by the government to expand the sport in the country.

Also during the trip, Solih met with the Maldivian community residing there.

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.