Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom is arriving in New Delhi this evening on a two-day visit to India. Mr Gayoom will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi tomorrow to further strengthen bilateral co-operation. He will also call on President Pranab Mukherjee and discuss issues of mutual interest. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will also meet the Maldivian President. Our correspondent reports President Gayoom's first visit after assumption of office was to India in January 2014.<br/><br/>AIR correspondent reports, India and the Maldives share ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious and commercial links. India was among the first to recognise Maldives after its independence in 1965 and to establish diplomatic relations with the country. The two countries commemorated 50 years of diplomatic relations last year. Bilateral trade between them stands at 700 crore rupees. Indian exports to the island nation include agriculture and poultry produce, sugar, fruits, vegetables, rice, wheat, and medicines. Indians are the second largest expatriate community. Daily flights are available from Thiruvananthapuram, Bengaluru, Kochi and Chennai to Male.

Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom is arriving in New Delhi this evening on a two-day visit to India. Mr Gayoom will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi tomorrow to further strengthen bilateral co-operation. He will also call on President Pranab Mukherjee and discuss issues of mutual interest. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will also meet the Maldivian President. Our correspondent reports President Gayoom's first visit after assumption of office was to India in January 2014.<br/><br/>AIR correspondent reports, India and Maldives share ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious and commercial links. India was among the first to recognise Maldives after its independence in 1965 and to establish diplomatic relations with the country. India and the Maldives commemorated 50 years of diplomatic relations last year. Bilateral trade between the two nations stand at 700 crore rupees. Indian exports to the island nation include agriculture and poultry produce, sugar, fruits, vegetables, rice, wheat, and medicines. Indians are the second largest expatriate community. Daily flights are available from Thiruvananthapuram, Bangaluru, Kochi and Chennai to Male.