PM Modi leaves for Maldives on a two-day visit, will be chief guest at Independence Day celebrations; Defence agreement likely to be signed:

News Topical, Digital Desk : PM Modi left for Maldives after concluding his UK visit. Prime Minister Modi will attend the Independence Day celebrations of the island nation as the chief guest in Maldives at the invitation of President Dr. Mohammad Moizu.

Defense agreement expected to be signed

Meanwhile, India's High Commissioner to Maldives G. Balasubramaniam said on Thursday that several important agreements, including a defense agreement, are expected to be signed between the two countries during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit starting from Friday. This is an important visit to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

This is the third time the Prime Minister will visit Maldives

Balasubramanian said, this is the third time the Prime Minister will visit Maldives. He first visited Maldives in 2018 and then in 2019. This is also the first visit of a head of state during the presidency of Mohammed Muizzu.

This is the first time since 2017 that Maldives has invited someone as the chief guest for the Independence Day celebrations.

Prime Minister Modi will be on a state visit to Maldives from 25-26 July at the invitation of President Muizzu. Apart from holding talks with Muizzu, Prime Minister Modi will also be the chief guest at the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of Maldives' independence on 26 July.