PM'S STATEMENT ON HIS DEPARTURE
FOR MALDIVES
Prime Minister Shri
Atal Bihari Vajpayee has left New Delhi, today, on a four-day
visit to Maldives. Following is the text of the Prime Minister’s
statement.
"I leave today
on an official visit to the republic of Maldives. It is my first
visit to that country and the first official bilateral visit by
an Indian Prime Minister since April 1995.
As close neighbours,
India and Maldives have a very special relationship. We have a
number of important economic co-operation projects, close political
coordination in SAARC and other international organizations, and
a sizeable Indian community of nearly 15000 in Maldives.
In my discussions
with President Gayoom and other representatives of Maldivian leadership,
I look forward to reviewing the progress in our on-going bilateral
projects and to discuss some new projects which will define our
partnership in the coming decades.
My discussions
would, of course, also include the regional and global situation
including the important contemporary global concerns on terrorism,
environment and sustainable development."
