Jaishankar meets visiting Maldives President: Neighbourhood first

Solih's visit to India from August 1 to 4 comes amid his widening political rift with Mohammed Nasheed, former President of the island nation and the current parliament speaker.

Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. (Photo: Twitter@DrSJaishankar)

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday met the visiting President of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and said India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and the Maldives’ ‘India First’ policy are “complementary” and the two policies take the special partnership forward.

Solih arrived in New Delhi on Monday, and he will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday.

Solih’s visit to India from August 1 to 4 comes amid his widening political rift with Mohammed Nasheed, former President of the island nation and the current parliament speaker. Both Solih and Nasheed are senior leaders of the Maldivian Democratic Party.

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Earlier, the president, accompanied by a high-level delegation, was welcomed at the Delhi airport by Union Minister Sanjeev Balyan. Solih is also scheduled to meet President Droupadi Murmu.

“A warm welcome to a close friend and maritime neighbour! President @ibusolih of Maldives arrives in New Delhi for an official visit,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on Twitter.

“An opportunity to nurture the unwavering friendship between our two countries and lend further momentum to the multi-faceted partnership,” he added.

President Solih will also visit Mumbai to participate in business events.

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