Addressing the Maldivian Parliament, The People's Majlis, on Saturday, Modi said the relations between India and the Maldives were older than history.

He said India will contribute to the conservation of Maldives' Friday Mosque also known as Hukuru Miskiy.

"There is no such mosque elsewhere in the world like this historical mosque made up of coral," Modi said. He said he was happy that the Maldives was working towards sustainable development and has become a part of the International Solar Alliance.

Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih thanked the Indian side for their offer to carry out restoration of the mosque by the Archaeological Survey of India under an Indian grant.

Built in 1658, Friday Mosque is one of the oldest and most ornate mosques in the city of Male in Kaafu Atoll. The mosque was added to the tentative UNESCO World Heritage cultural list in 2008 as unique examples of sea-culture architecture.

Modi arrived in the Maldives on Saturday on his first two-day foreign visit after re-election as Prime Minister to strengthen the bilateral ties, reflecting the importance India attaches to its 'Neighbourhood First' policy.

Source: The Times of India