India’s Cricket Touch In Maldives: New Stadium To Be Built In The Island Nation To Improve Bilateral Ties

During the visit of the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to Maldives, India on Monday (18 March) assured the Maldivian side that it will “positively consider” the island nation’s request to help build a cricket stadium there, reports Firstpost.

Swaraj, who arrived in Maldives on Sunday (17 March), was on a two-day visit to the island nation. Entire gamut of bilateral relations were discussed during her visit as she held talks with the top leadership of Maldives, including her Maldivian counterpart Abdulla Shahid.

"While discussing cooperation in the field of youth and sports, the Maldivian side requested Indian assistance for the construction of a cricket stadium," according to a joint statement released at the end of Swaraj's visit.

"The Indian side agreed to positively consider the request," the joint statement said.

According to the report, the Maldivian national cricket team represents the country in international cricket. It made its Twenty20 International debut in January this year after the International Cricket Council decided to grant full Twenty20 International (T20I) status to all its members.

The two nation also discussed measures to strengthen bilateral ties and collaborate in the fields of defence, development cooperation, capacity building and health care.