Maldives President arriving tomorrow on week-long visit

New Delhi, Feb 5 (UNI) Climate change and security issues will be high on agenda of talks between India and the Maldives during the week-long visit of Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom here beginning tomorrow.

The Maldivian President, who will be here till February 12, will attend the opening ceremony of 'Delhi Sustainable Development Summit-2008' and the 'International Climate Change Exhibition' on February 7.

Maldives, an Indian Ocean island, faces the maximum threat from global warming.

In the evening, Defence Minister A K Antony will call on him and discuss security issues in the region.

He will also visit Udaipur.

On February 11, the Maldivian Prresident will have official talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on various bilateral, regional and international issues.

After delegation-level talks between the two countries, agreements for cooperation in various areas are slated to be signed.

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Leader of the Opposition L K Advani will also call on Mr Gayoom.

In the evening, he will call on President Pratibha Devisingh Patil who will host a banquet in his honour.

The Maldivian President will leave for Colombo on February 12.

UNI RB KD HT2008