From March 26 to 30, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will visit the Maldives and Sri Lanka, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.
After arriving in the Maldives on Saturday, Jaishankar will go to Addu city on March 26 and 27 to meet with President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid.
"Several agreements related to bilateral development cooperation will be signed during the External Affairs Minister's visit, as well as the inauguration/handover and launch of a number of key India-supported projects that will contribute to the Maldives' socio-economic development and security," the MEA said on Saturday.
Jaishankar's visit to Sri Lanka From March 28-30 follows that of Sri Lankan Minister of Finance Basil Rajapaksa in December 2021 and earlier this month, as well as Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Affairs G L Peiris in February 2022.
The MEA statement said, "The bilateral meetings and interactions that the External Affairs Minister will have in Sri Lanka highlight the priority that Sri Lanka occupies for India."
On March 29, the External Affairs Minister will attend the BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The Maldives and Sri Lanka, according to the MEA, are India's significant maritime neighbours in the Indian Ocean Region and play a unique role in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'SAGAR' and Neighbourhood First Policy.
"The significance that India places on its close and cordial relations with the Maldives and Sri Lanka is reflected in the EAM's visit," the MEA stated.
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