Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar is scheduled to visit the Maldives this week, on a three day official visit to Maldives and Sri Lanka, to further expand bilateral engagement with the two key maritime neighbours of India.

Jaishankar’s first destination will be the Maldives, where he will sign several agreements to bolster bilateral cooperation. On his third visit to Maldives during Solih’s administration, Jaishankar will also be taking part in the inauguration of HDh. Hanimaadhoo Airport, media reports say.

During his visit to the Maldives, Jaishankar would call on Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and hold discussions with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid.

Hanimaadhoo Airpot development project was awarded to India’s JMC Projects Limited, and the contract agreement was signed between Regional Airports, on behalf of the government of Maldives and JMC, on 26th September 2022. JMC’s Vice President, KS Reddy signed the agreement on behalf of the company.

According to some senior officials of the government of Maldives, Dr. S. Jaishankar will be visiting Maldives from Sunday to Thursday. The inauguration ceremony will also be attended by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

The Hanimaadhoo International Airport project is one of the largest investments in the history of the country in an area other that the capital Male’ city.

The Maldives government’s decision to ward this project to India’s JMC was initially announced on August 10. JMC is currently undertaking several housing projects and water & sewerage projects in the Maldives.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration has so far awarded around $136.6 million worth of contracts to India’s JMC  — MVR 2.1 billion.