Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh arrived in Maldives this afternoon aboard a special aircraft to attend the 17th summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation -SAARC.

He was received at the Gan International airport at Addu islands in the southern most part of the country by the Maldivian President Mohammad Nasheed.

Dr Singh is leading a high-level delegation to the summit beginning at Addu City tomorrow. After the two day summit, the Prime Minister will visit Male, the capital city of Maldives. This will be the first visit of the Indian Prime Minister to Male in last nine years. Prime Minister will hold in depth discussions with the Maldivian President Mohammed Nasheed on all aspects of relationships between the two countries.

PM Manmohan Singh is also scheduled to address the People’s Majlis, the Parliament of Maldives on Saturday. During his four-day visit to the island nation, besides attending the SAARC Summit, Dr Singh will hold bilateral talks with all heads of SAARC countries. His meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Mr Yousuf Raza Gilani, has generated considerable media interest.

The bilateral meeting with the Pakistani Prime Minister is expected to be held tomorrow morning. PM is also likely to meet the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the PM of Bangladesh Sheik Hasina tomorrow for bilateral discussions.

This evening PM Manmohan Singh is meeting the PM of Bhutan for bilateral talks. An informal interaction with Maldivian President Mohammed Nasheed is also scheduled for today evening.