Top diplomats of Maldives, India meet amid row, troop removal ultimatum
India and Maldives want to further strengthen and expand their relations, Zameer said in his post.
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Indian External Affairs Minister Subramanian Jaishankar and Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer met in Uganda on Thursday.
The two ministers met on the sidelines of the ongoing Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit in Kampala, Uganda.
In a post on 'X', Zameer said the meeting mainly discussed:
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High-level talks on the withdrawal of Indian troops from Maldives
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To accelerate completion of India-funded development projects in Maldives
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On further strengthening relations between SAARC and NAM countries
India and Maldives want to further strengthen and expand their relations, Zameer said in his post.
Jaishankar also posted briefly in 'X' after the meeting. He said he had had a ‘frank conversation’ regarding the relationship between the two countries. They also discussed issues related to NAM, Jaishankar said.
The first meeting of the core group announced by President Mohamed Muizzu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the COP28 summit in Dubai was held in Male on Tuesday.
Maldives asked for the withdrawal of Indian troops before March 15. The two countries have agreed to expedite the process, the Foreign Ministry said, but India's statement did not say so.
In addition to withdrawing Indian troops from Maldives, President Muizzu is taking steps to reduce Maldivian dependence on India. The President has announced to end dependence on a particular country:
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With the introduction of Maldives's own air ambulance from March 1, Indian aircrafts will not be used for any rescue of medical evacuations
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Discussions have been held with China to ensure sustainable food security
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An agreement has already been made with Turkey for the importation of staple foods; the first shipment under this agreement will arrive next month
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The import of low grade medicines from India has been stopped and medicines are to be imported directly from Europe and the United States.
