'India-Maldives relations have reached new heights'

Vice President Faisal Naseem has said that the bilateral relations between Maldives and India have reached new heights. The Vice President made the statement while speaking at a special reception held by the High Commission of India in the Maldives, to commemorate India’s 75th Independence Day.

Speaking at the reception as the Guest of Honor, Vice President Faisal Naseem extended warm greetings and best wishes on the joyous occasion, on behalf of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and the people of the Maldives, to the President of the Republic of India, H.E Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian people.

The Vice President described the decades leading up to India attaining independence, in 1947, as a long and grueling struggle overcome by the invaluable efforts and sacrifices of great leaders who fought for freedom. He affirmed that India's journey to becoming a leading sovereign nation in only 75 years is an inspiration to the whole world. Vice President Faisal Naseem also highlighted that when the Maldives had finally attained independence from the protectorate status under the British, India was one of the first countries to recognise the Maldives as a sovereign state. In the long history of relations between both countries, he said, India has always extended assistance whenever the Maldives was in need.

Delineating on the aid and support India had provided the Maldives, Vice President Faisal Naseem underscored the assistance provided for the development of the social sector, especially the High Impact Community Development Projects under India’s assistance which strengthened the Government’s decentralisation efforts to bring nationwide development. He also recognised India's tremendous support on all fronts concerning the COVID-19 pandemic, including assisting in the evacuation of Maldivians in Wuhan, donating essential medicines and essential food items and granting 200,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine, as the first recipients outside India. The Vice President extended his sincere gratitude to the Government of India for the generous assistance extended to the Maldives during these challenging times.

Concluding his remarks, Vice President Faisal Naseem stated that the Maldives remains committed to enhancing the partnership with India, and would continue to uphold the close friendship between the two nations.