विवाद के बाद पहली बार मालदीव पहुंचे एस जयशंकर: विदेश मंत्री मूसा जमीर से मिले; अगले महीने भारत आ सकते हैं राष्ट्रपति मुइज्जू

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar arrived in Maldives on Friday evening on a 3-day official visit. He was welcomed at the airport by Foreign Minister Musa Zameer. Jaishankar will stay in Maldives till August 11. According to reports, he may meet President Muizzu on Saturday.

Jaishankar held a press conference with the Maldives Foreign Minister on Friday night. He said that ‘neighbourhood’ is a priority for India and ‘Maldives’ is a priority in the neighbourhood. We also have the closest ties of history and kinship. This visit is to take stock of the achievements of both the countries and to prepare better relations in the coming years.

This is Jaishankar’s first visit to Maldives after President Mohammed Muizzu took power last year. Earlier in May, Maldives Foreign Minister Musa Jameer visited India.

The Economic Times quoted sources as saying that President Mohammed Muizzu may visit India in September. Muizzu had earlier visited India in June to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Modi.

Maldives Foreign Minister Mohammed Musa had arrived to welcome External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at the airport.

India’s Foreign Minister inaugurated 6 India-assisted development projects in Maldives.

Jaishankar said on social media, “Happy to reach Maldives. Thank you Foreign Minister Musa Jamir for welcoming me at the airport. Maldives has an important place in our ‘Neighbor First’ policy, ‘Global South’ and ‘Sagar Vision’.”

Maldives Foreign Minister Zameer wrote on social media, “Happy to welcome Jaishankar on his official visit to Maldives. Hopefully the historical ties between Maldives and India will become stronger.”

Tension between India and Maldives since Muizzu became President
Relations between India and Maldives have been strained after Muizzu, who is considered pro-China, assumed the top office in November 2023. During his election campaign, Muizzu had given the slogan ‘India Out’ to expel 88 Indian soldiers from the Maldives.

After becoming President, Muizzu visited China instead of coming to India, whereas usually the President of Maldives visits India first after assuming office.

Meanwhile, Maldives ministers also made controversial statements on PM Modi’s Lakshadweep visit. Under the leadership of Muizzu, Maldives removed Indian soldiers from the country and also ended the hydrographic survey project with India.

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