Both are India’s key maritime neighbors in the Indian Ocean Region and occupy a special place in Prime Minister’s vision of ‘SAGAR’

External affairs Minister S Jaishankar will undertake a four-day trip to two Indian Ocean countries, Maldives and Mauritius from Sunday. While his visit to the Maldives is scheduled on February 20-21, he will land in Mauritius on a two-day visit on February 22.

During his visit to the Maldives, EAM Jaishankar will call-on President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and have substantive discussions with the Ministers for Foreign Affairs, Defence, Finance, Economic Development and Planning and Infrastructure.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the EAM will also call-on Speaker Mohamed Nasheed and meet with other political leaders. During this visit, the EAM will review the entire gamut of our bilateral ties as well as progress of ongoing bilateral projects and hold discussions on the ongoing COVID situation, including India’s continued assistance to the Maldives for its post-Covid-19 economic recovery.

During his visit to Mauritius, the EAM will call on President Prithvirajsing Roopun and Prime Minister Pravind Jagnauth. Jaishankar will also meet his counterpart the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade and Minister for Land Transport and Light Rail, Alan Ganoo.

During this visit, the EAM will review all aspects of our bilateral relations, ongoing implementation of various infrastructure projects being carried out by India in Mauritius, and hold discussions on bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest including India’s assistance to Mauritius.

Both Maldives and Mauritius are India’s key maritime neighbors in the Indian Ocean Region and occupy a special place in Prime Minister’s vision of ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region).

The EAM’s visit is a testimony to the importance that India attaches to its close and friendly relations with the Maldives and Mauritius and is expected to lend further momentum to substantive cooperation and robust people to people ties between the two countries.