Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar arrives in Maldives

NEW DELHI: Five months after he postponed his trip to Male owing to political unrest Indian Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar arrived in the Maldivian capital on Monday in the backdrop of controversial constitutional amendment by the Yameen government that allowed foreign land holdings of one billion dollars raising fears of Chinese investments in the Indian Ocean Region.

India's external affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted: "Completing the SAARC Yatra for a safe, secure and prosperous South Asia. Jaishankar in Maldives today."

Jaishankar is scheduled to meet Vice President Ahmed Adeeb, Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon and other leading members of several governmental institutions and political parties. He was greeted at the Male airport by his Maldivian counterpart Ali Naseer after which the two held talks.

The visit is significant to engage with the neighbouring country amid Beijing's efforts to expand influence in Maldives as part of Maritime Silk Road. The PM had also cancelled his trip to Maldives after former President Mohd. Nasheed was put behind bars on terror charges.

Modi, however, greeted the people of Maldives on July 26 on their 50th Independence Day, calling the country India's "valued partner". Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J P Nadda represented India on the occasion.

Maldives is a key partner for India in its periphery in the Indian Ocean Region and it is necessary for Delhi to maintain its influence in the area, experts said. Rise of extremist forces and Maldivian youth joining Islamic State is matter of concern for Delhi.