PM Modi to visit Maldives on first foreign tour in 2nd term |
Following the Neighbours first policy, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s will be making his first foreign tour to its neighbouring countries of Maldives and Sri Lanka in the Indian ocean. The tour will be highlighting the need for greater cooperation and maritime security in these waters. Maldives is the chosen destination for his first visit on June 7-8. According to sources, it is learnt that he will be stopping at Colombo on 8th of June as a mark of solidarity with the nation that witnessed the biggest ISIS attack on the fateful Easter Sunday. A brief meeting between Sri Lankan President Sirisena and PM Modi will take place on Friday wherein the issue of terrorism would be discussed though it would not be a full-fledged bilateral meeting. The Sri Lankan visit could necessitate PM Modi`s visit to St. Anthony`s Church, venue of the first blast site in Colombo. In Maldives, PM Modi would be honoured by being invited to address their parliament. During his visit to Sri Lanka, the point that for India its neighbourhood first policy is paramount could be drawn. Also China has made major inroads in these two countries and India would no longer want to cede space to Beijing. Therefore, there will be lot of discussions in the strategic, maritime and defence sphere.
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