Prime Minister Narendra Modi shakes hands with Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu prior to a meeting at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi, Monday.
Credit: PTI Photo
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accepted the invitation of Maldives’ President Mohamed Muizzu to visit the country next year, external affairs ministry said on Monday.
The statement comes a day after Maldives President landed in Delhi for his first bilateral visit to India.
Following the bilateral meeting, PM Modi said he was delighted to host Muizzu.
“I am delighted to welcome President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu to India. During our talks today, we discussed ways to improve economic linkages, connectivity, cultural connect and also cooperation in sectors like climate change, water resources, agriculture, fisheries and more,” PM Modi said in a social media post.
India and the Maldives, as "natural partners", on Monday resolved to work together in advancing maritime and security cooperation for the benefit of peoples of both the countries as well as the Indian Ocean Region.
A vision document, which was issued after bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu here, also said the two countries share common challenges in the Indian Ocean Region.
The document -- India and Maldives: A Vision for Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership -- said that the two sides agreed to "inaugurate at an early date the state-of-the-art Maldivian Ministry of Defence (MoD) building in Male, constructed with India's assistance, that will augment modern infrastructural capacity of the MoD".
India and the Maldives share common challenges in the Indian Ocean Region which have multi-dimensional implications for the security and development of both the countries, it said.
"As natural partners, they resolve to work together in advancing the maritime and security cooperation for the benefit of peoples of both India and Maldives as well as for the larger Indian Ocean Region," the two countries said in the document.
(With PTI inputs)