Nasheed highlights diplomatic access issue at Maldives airport

Russian Ambassador to the Maldives, Levan Dzhagaryan, has raised concerns over the procedures he underwent at Velana International Airport during a recent visit.

Former President Mohamed Nasheed conveyed the concerns in a message shared in a WhatsApp group addressed to the Honorary Consul of Russia to the Maldives, Ali Fauzy.

In the message, Nasheed said foreign diplomats were not being adequately facilitated during airport security procedures.

He questioned why there were no special arrangements at the airport for visiting foreign dignitaries.

“Unfortunately, the ambassador had to complete many security procedures at Velana airport,” Nasheed said.

Nasheed said he later met Ambassador Dzhagaryan and discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations. He said he also requested an increase in the number of Russian scholarships offered to Maldivian students.

Russia remains one of the main source markets for tourism to the Maldives. A number of Maldivian students are currently studying in Russia, mainly in the field of medicine.