Maldives Foreign Minister Zameer to visit India next week

Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer is scheduled to pay an official visit to India next week.

The Foreign Ministry confirmed this to Atoll Times; the visit is scheduled for Monday, 8th of this month. The visit is expected to last three days.

However, the Foreign Ministry did not give any further details about the visit. A ministry official said a statement would be issued soon.

This will be the first official visit by a senior official of this government to India. Incumbent President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu made his first official visit to Turkey, changing the date of his first visit to India after the election. He made his maiden state visit to China, India's competitor. India and China are in open competition for strategic dominance in the region.

Zameer's visit is scheduled from 8 to 10 this month, and the last batch of Indian troops in Maldives is set to leave before 10th of this month.

Two batches of Indian troops have so far withdrawn from Maldives. The government has said that India donated aircrafts are now driven by Indian civilians.

India-Maldives relations have weakened somewhat with the government's close relations with China. The relationship was further strained recently when three Maldivian deputy ministers insulted India and its Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India has demanded the removal of the deputy ministers. However, they are still in suspension, with full ongoing salary and benefits.