Zameer meets Jaishankar to strengthen Maldives-India ties
Jaishankar said India wants to further strengthen its relations with Maldives in the future.
By
Aishath Fareeha Abdulla
Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer, who is on a two-day visit to India, called on Indian External Affairs Minister Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Thursday to discuss ways to further strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries.
This is the first visit of the new government's representative, the Foreign Minister to India.
In his talks with Jaishankar, Zameer wrote on 'X' that the two had talked about the long-standing close relationship between India and Maldives.
“We exchanged perspectives on increasing engagement and exchanges between Maldives and India, both bilaterally and in the international arena”, Zameer said.
Jaishankar made an impressive and heartfelt opening remarks, and he touched the following points:
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This is the Maldivian dignitary's first visit to India in their current role, offering a chance to discuss the India-Maldives relationship and future plans
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India prioritises close relations with its neighbours (Neighbourhood First policy) and views the Maldives as a strategic partner
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India has provided significant development assistance to the Maldives, including infrastructure projects, social initiatives, and disaster relief
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Strong cooperation benefits both countries, especially in volatile times
During the meeting, Jaishankar said the two leaders will discuss areas where India and Maldives can further strengthen their relations.
Speaking about how India has always provided a lot of assistance to Maldives in the past, Jaishankar noted how India has provided financial assistance to Maldives at low interest rates.
Jaishankar said India also wants to further strengthen its relations with Maldives in the future.
