Deputy PM of Yemen arrives today with an aim to boost ties

Deputy Prime Minister of Yemen Abdulmalik Abduljalil Al-Mekhlafi will arrive here today on a four-day visit, during which a range of issues, including enhancing bilateral ties and the safety of Indians living in the strife-torn Arab country, is likely to be discussed.

Al-Mekhlafi, who is also Yemen's foreign minister, will hold talks with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday covering the expanse of bilateral ties as well as situation in Yemen and the Middle East.

In 2015, as the situation grew out of control following a civil war in Yemen, India had evacuated 6,700 people, including the nationals of 41 countries, under 'Operation Raahat'.

The issue of safety of Indians is likely to figure in the talks between Swaraj and Al-Mekhlafi.

They are also likely to discuss the issue of containing the increasing challenge of terrorism. Terror groups like the al-Qaeda and the Islamic State are said to have bases in parts of Yemen resulting in instability in the country.

Al-Mekhlafi is schedule to visit Agra.