Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, arrived in India on August 1st. His four-day official visit to New Delhi is accompanied by a high-level official and business delegation. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs said the Maldivian President is scheduled to call on India`s newly elected President Droupadi Murmu. He is also scheduled to hold a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar. During his four-day visit, the visiting Maldivian President will participate in the bilateral meetings. He will also hold discussions with an Indian business delegation in New Delhi after which he is scheduled to make a short trip to Mumbai in the Indian state of Maharashtra to participate in a business event. It is pertinent to note that the Maldives is India`s key neighbor in the Indian Ocean region and occupies a special place in India`s Neighbourhood First Policy. Despite its small size, the island is strategically important for India due to its geographical location. Both countries have also seen a significant rise in their economic cooperation in recent years.
