Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid has stated that the relationship between Maldives and neighbouring India is special, and that the Maldives would always maintain the ties.
Speaking at the function held at Dharubaaruge to mark the 71st Anniversary of the Republic Day of India, the Minister conveyed greetings and sincere felicitations to the Government and People of India, President of the Republic of India Ram Nath Kovind, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on behalf of the Government and the People of Maldives on the occasion of the 71st Republic Day of India. He also highlighted the symbolic significance of the adoption of the Indian Constitution, in that it vindicated India’s long struggle for independence, and transforming it into the proud democratic republic it is today.
Highlighting the close relationship between the Maldives and India, Minister Shahid also took a moment to celebrate “India’s contribution to the lives and livelihood of its neighbours – especially in the Maldives”.
Minister Shahid stated that the relationship between the Maldives and India are built on many years of trust, friendship and people-to-people contact. He concluded by reiterating the commitment to upholding the close bilateral relationship and the friendship between the two countries.
The Indian Ambassador to the Maldives, Sunjay Sudhir also addressed at the ceremony. In his remarks, he praised the Maldives and acknowledged the close relations that the archipelago maintains with India. The ambassador attested that the Maldives will continue to remain India's most important friend.
This year, the Maldives and India will mark fifty five years since the establishment of diplomatic relations. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Speaker Mohamed Nasheed, Vice President Faisal Naseem and other senior officials of the government were in attendance at the ceremony held to mark the occasion.
