The Foreign Secretary of India, Harsh Vardhan Shringla has departed the Maldives after concluding his official visit to the country, on the invitation of Foreign Secretary of the Maldives Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed.
During the visit, the Foreign Secretaries of the Maldives and India held discussions on a wide range of issues and reviewed progress on ongoing initiatives and projects. Both Foreign Secretaries also agreed on actions needed to accelerate implementation.
Foreign Secretary Shringla also called on President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed and several cabinet ministers. Following fruitful discussions, the two governments signed four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on the Greater Male’ Connectivity Project, cooperation on sports and youth affairs, as well as, two projects under the high impact community development for the establishment of the Agricultural Research Centre in Hanimaadhoo, Haa Dhaalu Atoll, and the development of a drug detoxification centre in Addu City Hulhudhoo.
The Foreign Secretary of India also attended the handover ceremony of the Children’s Park Equipment Project, under the Indian Grant Assistance Scheme, which was hosted by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Development at the National Stadium. After the ceremony concluded, the Indian Foreign Secretary also laid the foundation of the Ekuveni Synthetic Track, which is another project partially financed the Indian Grant Assistance Scheme.
This was the Foreign Secretary’s first visit to the Maldives, since assuming office on January 29, 2020.