New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first official overseas trip will be to the tropical island nation of Maldives and the PM is expected to make the visit from 7-8 June, according to diplomatic sources and Maldivian media reports. Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had called PM Modi on May 23 to congratulate him on his re-election.

PM Modi earlier visited the Maldives on a short visit to attend President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s inauguration ceremony in November last year.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj visited the Maldives in March, the first full-fledged bilateral trip from India to the island nation after the government of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih came to power in November last year.

Last week, it was announced by the Maldives, as part of the grant, that India will be building two projects in the country - a Police Academy in Dhaalu Atoll and a Convention Centre in Ukulhas, Alif Alif Atoll. The total cost of both the projects will be 14.8 million Maldivian rufiyaas or US $960,000. 

India and the Maldives share close ties in areas such as economics, military and security and PM Modi’s first visit to the island nation after starting his second term will be seen as a signal to the international community as well as China that India is ready to play a more active role in the Indian Ocean region (IOR) and in its immediate neighborhood.