17th SAARC summit in Maldives

17th SAARC Prime Minister Lyonchhoen Jigmi Y Thinley arrived in the Addu Atoll in the Maldives late last night to attend the 17th SAARC summit, which will begin on the November 10.

Lyonchhoen was received at the Gan International Airport, Addu by President of Maldives Mohamed Nasheed and the first lady of Maldives.

Lyonchhoen is scheduled to meet President Mohamed Nasheed at noon today, November 10.

The theme for the Summit being hosted for the first time in south of equator in the city of Addu is “Building Bridges” – focusing on connectivity and building linkages within and outside South Asia.

Lyonchhoen Jigmi Y Thinley will formally hand over the Chair of SAARC to the President Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldives during the Opening Session of the Summit. Bhutan has been the Chair of SAARC since the hosting of the 16th SAARC Summit in Bhutan in April 2010.

The Minister-In-charge for Foreign Affairs Khandu Wangchuk and foreign secretary Daw Penjo along with senior officials from the ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Cabinet Secretariat are accompanying the prime minister.

On the sidelines of the Summit, Lyonchhoen is scheduled to meet other heads of governments and states of SAARC.

Source: kuenselonline