Speaker Abdul Raheem invites Indian VP Dhankhar to visit Maldives

Speaker of Maldivian Parliament Abdul Raheem Abdulla has invited Jagdeep Dhankhar, the Indian Vice President and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha – the upper house of India’s bicameral Parliament, to make an official visit to the Maldives.

Abdul Raheem, who is leading a delegation of Maldivian legislators on a four-day official visit to India, called on Dhankhar at the Vice President’s Enclave in New Delhi on Wednesday.

During the call, he extended an official invitation to Dhankhar to visit the Maldives.

According to the Parliament, the meeting focused on discussion on strengthening bilateral relations between Maldives and India, including parliamentary exchanges and people-to-people contacts between the two neighboring countries.

They also discussed future collaborations between the two legislatures.

During the meeting, Dhankhar reaffirmed India’s commitment to supporting the Maldives, and welcomed the members of the Maldives-India Parliamentary Friendship Group and the Maldivian delegation.

He also reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining and further strengthening the close ties between the two countries.

Meanwhile, Abdul Raheem expressed his gratitude for India’s continued assistance.

His meeting with Dhankhar on Wednesday followed a similar one the previous day with Om Birla, the Speaker of Lok Sabha – the lower house of India’s Parliament.

Abdul Raheem is leading a delegation of Maldivian nine parliamentarians; Baarah MP Ibrahim Shujau, Hulhudhoo MP Mohamed Shahid, Huraa MP Dr. Anara Naeem, Kendhikulhudhoo MP Mohamed Afoo Hamid, Kelaa MP Abdulla Shareef, North Henveiru MP Ahmed Aifan, Kudahuvadhoo MP Hussain Hameed, Gemanafushi MP Asadhullah Shihab, and Kurendhoo MP Mohamed Shamin Habeeb.

The Maldivian delegation was invited to visit New Delhi by Dhankhar and Birla. They arrived in India on Monday.

Earlier on Wednesday, Abdul Raheem and other Maldivian delegates toured Humayun’s Tomb. They are scheduled to visit the Taj Mahal in Agra on Thursday.

The delegation is set to conclude their visit and return to Maldives on Friday.