Prime Minister Narendra Modi To Visit Maldives, Sri Lanka

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the Maldives and Sri Lanka from June 8 to 9, in his first bilateral trip after his re-election for a second term, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday. Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said the choice of the two countries underlined the government’s continued emphasis on the neighborhood-first policy. “This will be the first trip by the Indian Prime Minister to the Maldives after Manmohan Singh visited the island nation in 2011,” said Gokhale.

According to Gokhale, New Delhi and Male have had extensive exchanges at the highest level over the past few months. During Modi’s visit, the two countries are likely to sign agreements related to customs, white shipping and training of civil servants among others. “Modi will address the Majlis (Parliament of Maldives) on June 8,” Gokhale said. He, along with Maldivian President Ibrahim Solih, will also inaugurate two completed projects.

The Prime Minister will be visiting Sri Lanka on June 9 with a very clear message of solidarity in the wake of the Easter bombings, said Gokhale. He said during his short and very packed visit, the Prime Minister will hold meetings with the President, the Prime Minister and the Leader of Opposition of Sri Lanka. (IANS)

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