The Foreign Secretary of India, Harsh V Shringla called on President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih Monday morning at the President’s Office.
During the call the President and the Foreign Secretary discussed ways of further strengthening the Maldives-India partnership. Noting that this year marks the 55th anniversary of formal diplomatic ties between our two countries, the President remarked that the strong bilateral ties between our two countries are matched by the frequent and friendly interactions between our peoples. The President also thanked India for the assistance they have provided the Maldives over the years, including throughout the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Further items discussed included enhancing regional trade and connectivity, economic cooperation, tourism and overcoming the pandemic. The President expressed his gratitude to the Indian Government for agreeing to implement an air-bubble between our two countries, and remarked that increasing amounts of Indian tourists have visited the Maldives since we reopened our international borders. The President also thanked India for the many ongoing projects in the Maldives made feasible through the Indian Government’s Line of Credit agreement with us, including the Greater Male’ Connectivity Project, Gulhifalhu Port Project, Water and Sewerage related projects in 34 islands across 16 atolls, as well as a Cancer Hospital.
Ending the call, the President expressed his good wishes to President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India. Both the President and Foreign Secretary affirmed their mutual commitment to ensuring that Maldives-India relations always remain strong.
The Indian Foreign Secretary is visiting the Maldives on the invitation of Maldivian Foreign Secretary, Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed. He arrived in the Maldives on November 8th and will be departing from the Maldives on November 10th.
