International Media reports have said that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is set to visit the Maldives after attending talks in neighboring India.
Reports said that in India, the talks will involve Pompeo, US Defence Secretary Mark Esper and their Indian counterparts, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
The US Secretary of State is scheduled to make a stop in Sri Lanka amid US and Indian concerns at China’s stepped-up engagement with the government of recently elected Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and his brother, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Foreign Media reports suggest that Pompeo’s visit to the Maldives will be easier after the two countries recently signed a “Framework for a Defence and Security Relationship”.
The US Department of Defence had said the agreement was intended to deepen engagement and cooperation in support of maintaining peace and security in the Indian Ocean, and marks an important step forward in the partnership between the two countries.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry said that incoming visits of official foreign delegations will be announced once a visit is scheduled and confirmed.
It also said that the current administration welcomes visits from all friendly nations as the country emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic and borders are open. Foreign Ministry added that the government looks forward to welcoming dignitaries to the Maldives.
