Modi meets Maldivian President

New Delhi,(UNI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Tuesday held a meeting at the Hyderabad House here to strengthen bilateral relations.

Solih is on a four-day official visit to India along with a business delegation.

“For deeper ties and wider possibilities! PM Modi welcomes President of Maldives, a key partner in India’s Neighbourhood First Policy,” said Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi after the meeting.

Solih is also scheduled to meet President Droupadi Murmu later in the day.

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar met the Maldivian leader on Monday. He said India’s Neighbourhood First and Maldives’ India First policies were complementary.

Solih arrived at the Air Force Station here on Monday. He will enplane for Mumbai on Wednesday morning and participate in business events there.

“Needless to say Maldives is India’s key neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region and occupies a special place in India’s neighbourhood first policy,” an Indian spokesman said.

In recent years the partnership between the two countries has witnessed rapid growth in all areas.