Maldives, Australia hold inaugural top official talks to boost ties

The governments of Maldives and Australia on Monday convened the inaugural Senior Officials Talks in Male, marking a step in strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation between the two nations.

The talks were led by Fathimath Inaya, Foreign Secretary of Maldives, and Sarah Storey, First Assistant Secretary of Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Officials from relevant government agencies participated, building on the inaugural defence policy talks.

In a joint statement, Maldives and Australia "expressed their commitment to fostering a mutually beneficial partnership, rooted in shared values and common goals."

The statement added that the talks focused on "key areas of mutual interest," including governance, democracy, trade, tourism, climate change, defence, security, and development cooperation.

Both sides agreed to explore opportunities for collaboration in sectors such as development, trade, and tourism, with an emphasis on "increased trade flows and investment" to benefit both economies and promote sustainable development.

On climate change, Maldives and Australia reaffirmed their commitment to environmental conservation. The statement highlighted collaborative initiatives aimed at "attracting development partners for renewable energy and conservation" as priority areas for future cooperation.

The talks also underscored the importance of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, with both nations showing dedication to "work together on issues such as maritime and aviation security, border management, cyber security, disaster relief, and counterterrorism efforts."

Officials discussed enhancing collaboration between the Maldives Police Service and Australian agencies to build resilience in the region. The relationship between the Australian Border Force (ABF) and Maldives’ civil maritime security agencies was also addressed, with discussions on ways to "enhance border management and maritime domain awareness."

Cultural exchange and people-to-people connections were also highlighted as a significant aspect of the partnership. The joint statement emphasised plans to "enhance educational programs, training, and community engagement across the islands."

Maldives stressed the importance of strengthening democratic institutions and practices, discussing strategies to improve transparency and accountability. Both nations reiterated their "firm commitment to upholding human rights and the rule of law."

The opening of the Australian High Commission in Maldives was noted as a significant development in bilateral relations. Maldives expressed appreciation for Australia's support in formulating the Maldives’ 20-year national development plan.

The talks concluded with both sides expressing appreciation for the constructive engagement. The statement affirmed the commitment to "enhancing dialogue and cooperation" and holding regular talks in the future to deepen the relationship further.