Sushma Swaraj arrives in Maldives on two-day visit

MALE: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj arrived here today on a visit to the Maldives during which she will restart the Joint Commission which meets tomorrow after a hiatus of 15 years to focus on cooperation in health, energy and defence sectors among others.

Swaraj who arrived at the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport on a two-day visit was received by her Maldivian counterpart Duniya Mamoon.

She will hold talks with Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen tomorrow morning following which she will co-chair the India-Maldives Joint Commission talks last held in 2000.

"While in Male, she will also call on President Abdulla Yameen and she will hold talks with Ministers of Defence, Economic Development, and Health," MEA spokesman Vikas Swarup had said in New Delhi on the eve of Swaraj's visit.

He added that the Joint Commission is a very important mechanism to review the multi-faceted relationship.

"We expect the talks to give directions for enhancing trade and investment, meet developmental objectives in Maldives, discuss further cooperation in areas such as health care, energy collaboration and HRD," he said.

The External Affairs Minister would also meet the Indian community here on her visit.