New Delhi, July 09: External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha will embark on a three-day official visit to Maldives and Sri Lanka from tomorrow mainly aimed at further consolidating strong economic links to catalyse growth and development in the region. Sinha is expected to reinforce India's support to the peace process and its commitment to the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka. New Delhi has maintained that a negotiated settlement should meet the aspirations of all elements of Sri Lankan society.

The minister is likely to call on the Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and his counterpart Tyronne Fernando during his brief stay in the Sri Lankan capital. Sinha's visit, the first abroad after he assumed charge of his new ministry last week, ''reflects the importance India attaches to enhancing bilateral relations with neighbouring countries'', external affairs ministry spokesperson Nirupama Rao told reporters here today.

Bureau Report