NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar left for the Maldives and Sri Lanka on Saturday for a five-day trip. The Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement that Jaishankar's visit is the result of invitations from his Maldivian and Sri Lankan colleagues, Abdulla Shahid and G.L. Peiris, respectively.

On Saturday, Jaishankar will arrive in the Maldives' Addu capital, where he will meet with President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and hold talks with Shahid.

Several agreements related to bilateral development cooperation will be signed during the two-day visit, as well as the inauguration/handing-over and launch of a number of key India-supported projects that will contribute to the Maldives' socio-economic development and security, according to the Ministry.

Bilateral discussions and contacts will take place during Jaishankar's visit to Sri Lanka from March 28 to March 30. Peiris was in India in February, while Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa was there earlier this month. Jaishankar will also attend the BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting on March 29 in Colombo while in Sri Lanka.

"Both the Maldives and Sri Lanka are India's significant maritime neighbours in the Indian Ocean Region, and they hold a special place in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'SAGAR' and 'Neighbourhood First,'" according to the statement. "The importance that India places on its close and amicable relations with the Maldives and Sri Lanka is reflected in Jaishankar's visit."

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