The United States’ Secretary of State Michael Pompeo is to visit Maldives during the ongoing month.

While this will be the U.S. Secretary of State’s maiden visit to the island nation, an exact date of his arrival has not been disclosed.

According to international media, Pompeo will likely be stopping in the Maldives capital as part of his scheduled trips to neighboring India and Sri Lanka.

Reports have this that Pompeo plans to visit three of the neighboring countries in late October, before the U.S. Presidential Elections slated for early November.

Miuvan Mohamed, Communications Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed on Tuesday that pending visits of official foreign delegations will only be announced once a visit is scheduled, and confirmed.

He added that the incumbent government will welcome all foreign delegations with enthusiasm. During his visit to the U.S. Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid had called upon Pompeo.

Further, the island nation’s Minister of Defense, Mariya Ahmed Didi had also visited U.S. to engage in discussions to strengthen military ties between both countries.

The two countries recently signed a framework to boost defense and security between them with the purpose of strengthening cooperation in maintaining peace and security in the Indian Ocean. The framework marked an important step in the bonds enjoyed between both countries.