Mission SAGAR: Jaishankar to fly to Maldives and Mauritius
During his visit, Jaishankar will review the entire gamut of bilateral ties as well as the progress of ongoing projects.
FollowAiming to further deepen the bilateral relations, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will undertake a visit to the Maldives on February 20-21 and Mauritius on February 22-23.
Maldives and Mauritius are India's key maritime neighbours in the Indian Ocean Region and occupy a special place in Prime Minister's vision of 'SAGAR' (Security and Growth for All in the Region), an official said.
Maldives
During his visit, Jaishankar will review the entire gamut of bilateral ties as well as the progress of ongoing projects.
He will also hold discussions on the current Covid situation, including India's continued assistance to the Maldives for its post-Covid economic recovery.
During his two-day tour, he will call-on President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and also hold substantive discussions with the ministers for foreign affairs, defence, finance, economic development and planning and infrastructure.
He is also scheduled to call on Speaker Mohamed Nasheed and meet with other political leaders.
Last month, India has sent 1,00,000 doses of "Made in India" Covid vaccine as a gift. It was sent to Male within 96 hours of its India's countrywide roll-out.
In the wake of Covid-19 pandemic, India-supplied medicines, food and also sent a 14-member rapid response team consisting of doctors and paramedics to Male.
The covid pandemic had a major impact on the country's tourism-driven economy. Last year, New Delhi extended urgent financial assistance of US$ 250 million through investment by SBI in the Government of Maldives bonds.
Mauritius
The minister will review all aspects of bilateral relations, ongoing implementation of various infrastructure projects being carried out by India in Mauritius and hold discussions on bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest including India's assistance to Mauritius.
He will call on President Pritivirajsing Roopun and Prime Minister Pravind Jagnauth. Jaishankar will also meet his counterpart the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade and Minister for Land Transport and Light Rail Alan Ganoo.
On February 17, the Union Cabinet gave approval for the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement with Mauritius.
The decision was a part of the preparatory work for his visit to Mauritius.
The agreement will cover 310 export items for India, including food items, beverages, electrical products, telecommunication, and a variety of other items such as seafood.
The agreement will be signed at a 'mutually convenient date', an official statement said on Wednesday.
India has been one of the largest trading partners of Mauritius and the CECPA is aimed at further cementing the trade relationship.
"His visit is testimony to the importance that India attaches to its close and friendly relations with the Maldives and Mauritius and is expected to lend further momentum to substantive cooperation and robust people to people ties between the two countries," the official said.
