Modi met with Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Saturday evening and later addressed the Maldives’ Parliament. It was the first visit by an Indian prime minister to the South Asian archipelago nation in eight years. India had been concerned with Yameen’s leaning toward China, which is seeking more influence in the Indian Ocean region. Yameen had pledged support for China’s “Belt and Road” initiative and China invested in many infrastructure projects in the Maldives. Modi will travel to Sri Lanka, another of India’s neighbors, on Sunday for a one-day visit.

Source: Washington Post June 09, 2019 00:56 UTC