PM Modi to visit UK, Maldives on July 23-26: MEA

NEW DELHI: India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit the United Kingdom and the Maldives from July 23 to 26, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Sunday.

The visit to the UK is at the invitation of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, while the state visit to the Maldives is at the invitation of President Mohamed Muizzu.

According to the MEA, this will be Modi’s fourth visit to the UK. He will hold wide-ranging discussions with his British counterpart on the full gamut of India–UK bilateral relations and exchange views on issues of regional and global importance. He is also expected to call on King Charles III. During the visit, both sides will review progress on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), focusing on trade and economy, technology and innovation, defence and security, climate, health, education and people-to-people ties.

For the second leg of his trip, Modi will undertake a state visit to the Maldives from July 25 to 26 at the invitation of President Mohamed Muizzu. It will be his third visit to the Maldives and the first by a head of state or government during Muizzu’s presidency.

Modi will be the guest of honour at celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the Maldives’ independence on July 26, 2025.

During the visit, Modi and Muizzu will hold discussions on issues of mutual interest and review progress in implementing the India–Maldives Joint Vision for a Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership, adopted during Muizzu’s state visit to India in October 2024.

In its statement, the MEA said the visit reflects the importance India attaches to its maritime neighbour, the Maldives, which holds a special place in India’s Neighbourhood First policy and Vision MAHASAGAR. It added that the visit will provide an opportunity for both sides to deepen and strengthen their close bilateral relationship.

By RSS/ANI