The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced the date of the United States’ Secretary of State Michael Pompeo’s official visit to Maldives.

In an announcement on Wednesday evening, the ministry revealed that Pompeo will be arriving in the Maldives on his maiden visit, on October 28.

The ministry went on to reveal that Pompeo will be calling on President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid during his visit.

During the courtesy call, FM Shahid and Pompeo will be engaging in discussions regarding ongoing and future collaborations as well as the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic the globe is battling.

Since the visit of U.S. Secretary of State James Addison Baker III on July 24, 1992, Pompeo’s visit is the highest-level visit by a U.S. government official to the Maldives.

Although international media hinted the visit earlier, the ministry was awaiting a confirmation and scheduling of the visit in order to make the official announcement as per procedure.

During his visit to the U.S. Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid had also 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.