Minister Jaishankar begins three-day visits to Maldives, Sri Lanka

Indian Minister S Jaishankar reached Maldives on his fourth visit to the island country after assuming office in 2019.

"Welcome to the Maldives my dear friend @DrSJaishankar! And this time to the northernmost atolls, to bear witness the impact of developmental assistance extended through the ever-reliable #MaldivesIndiaPartnership," Shahid tweeted.

This is Jaishankar's fourth visit to the Maldives since he assumed office in 2019. Earlier, Ministry of External Affairs has said that Jaishankar will visit Maldives and Sri Lanka from January 18-20 where he will sign agreements related to the bilateral development cooperation and launch several key India-supported projects in Male.

In the Maldives, he would call on President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and will also hold discussions with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid.

"EAM's visit will see the signing of agreements related to the bilateral development cooperation, ground-breaking/ inauguration/ handing-over and launch of a number of key India-supported projects that will contribute to the socio-economic development of the Maldives," the MEA statement read.

The ministry stated that Jaishankar's visit to Sri Lanka will follow his previous trips to the bankrupt country in January 2021 and March 2022. Sri Lanka is a close friend and neighbour, and India has always stood by the people of Sri Lanka.

(ANI)