National News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to begin a four-day official visit to the United Kingdom and the Maldives starting Wednesday, July 23. The visit aims to enhance India's ties with both countries, with special focus on trade, investment, defense cooperation, and regional security.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Prime Minister Modi will begin the first leg of his trip in the United Kingdom. During his visit, he is set to hold a bilateral meeting with the newly elected British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. This will be their first official meeting since Prime Minister Starmer assumed office earlier this month.
Discussion over India-UK relations
The MEA stated that the two leaders will have an in-depth discussion on the entire range of India-UK relations. Topics such as economic partnership, defense collaboration, climate change, and technological exchange are expected to be on the agenda. They will also share views on regional and global issues, including developments in South Asia, the Indo-Pacific, and international security challenges.
In addition to the political meetings, Prime Minister Modi is also expected to meet King Charles III during his stay in the UK. The visit is seen as a key opportunity to further strengthen India’s relations with the UK, which have been growing steadily over the years, especially in areas such as education, technology, green energy, and healthcare.
PM's third official visit to Maldives
Following his UK visit, Prime Minister Modi will travel to the Maldives on July 25. The two-day visit comes at the invitation of Maldivian President Mohammed Muizzu and coincides with the 60th anniversary of the Maldives’ independence, which is being celebrated on July 26.
This will mark PM Modi’s third official visit to the Maldives as Prime Minister. His trip is expected to underline the importance India places on its ‘Neighborhood First’ policy and maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean region.
Economic and Maritime Security Partnership
During his stay, Modi and President Muizzu will review the progress made in the implementation of the India-Maldives Joint Approach for a Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership. This joint initiative was agreed upon during President Muizzu's visit to India in October last year and includes cooperation in areas such as trade, infrastructure development, maritime surveillance, disaster management, and defense.
The MEA emphasized that the Prime Minister's visit to the Maldives will reaffirm India’s commitment to support the island nation in its development journey while also ensuring peace and stability in the region.
Strategic significance of PM's visit
Experts believe that both legs of PM Modi’s visit are strategically significant. Strengthening ties with the UK will help India boost economic growth and global partnerships post-COVID, while engagement with the Maldives reinforces India’s presence and goodwill in the Indian Ocean, an area of increasing strategic competition.
This visit reflects India’s growing diplomatic outreach and its efforts to build strong and meaningful partnerships with key allies on the global stage.
