London: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi traveled to the Maldives on Thursday after the conclusion of the first stage of his two-nation trip.
From July 25 to 26, the Prime Minister will pay a state visit to the island nation at the request of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu.
During his stay, the Prime Minister will attend the Maldives' 60th Independence Day celebrations as a Guest of Honour. He is also visiting to commemorate the 60th anniversary of India-Maldives diplomatic links.
A historic trip to the United Kingdom comes to a close, boosting India-UK commercial and economic relations to new heights. PM Narendra Modi has embarked on the second leg of his trip, which will take him to the Maldives, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.
The visit came after the Prime Minister's engagements in the United Kingdom, where he oversaw the signing of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement.
Prime Minister Modi met with his UK counterpart, Keir Starmer, at Chequers, the Prime Minister's official residence, during his visit to the UK from July 23 to July 24.
The two PMs also praised the signing of the historic India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which elevates the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to new heights.
The deal substantially boosted bilateral commerce, investment, economic partnerships, and job growth in both nations.
The two governments also agreed to negotiate a Double Contribution Convention, which will take effect in conjunction with the CETA and will help professionals and the service sector in both countries by encouraging competitiveness and lowering the cost of doing business for commercial organizations.
The two leaders also examined the whole range of the bilateral relationship and approved the India-UK Vision 2035.
The Vision 2035 injects greater ambition and renewed dynamism into the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership by guiding the relationship for the next ten years in key areas such as economy and growth, technology, innovation, research and education, defence and security, climate action, health, and people-to-people contacts.
The two officials also applauded the completion of a Defense Industrial Roadmap, which encourages collaboration in the codesign, codevelopment, and coproduction of military goods in order to satisfy rising demand in both nations as well as on the global market.
They also applauded the increased cooperation in new and emerging technology, urging for the rapid deployment of the Technology and Security Initiative (TSI), which reached one year today. The project focuses on telecommunications, important minerals, artificial intelligence, biotechnology and health technology, semiconductors, sophisticated materials, and quantum.
The two Prime Ministers also hailed the expanding cooperation between India and the United Kingdom in the education sector, with six UK institutions planning to establish campuses in India under the New Education Policy (NEP). Southampton University was the first foreign university to open a campus in India under the NEP, which it did in Gurugram.
Prime Minister Modi also praised Prime Minister Starmer for his unwavering support and solidarity to the people of India following the Pahalgam terrorist incident, adding that extremism and radicalization are a challenge to both civilizations.
Prime Minister Modi also requested the United Kingdom's support in bringing to justice economic offenders and fugitives who had escaped India to avoid prosecution.
The two leaders also addressed global and regional concerns of mutual interest, such as developments in the IndoPacific, the Middle East, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
PM Modi also asked his UK counterpart to visit India as soon as feasible.
Following his meeting with Starmer, the Prime Minister met with King Charles III at Sandringham Estate in England to address bilateral concerns and progress between the two nations.
He also gave the King a sapling to plant in the Sandringham Estate in the autumn as part of the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, according to the MEA.
