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External Affairs Minister (EAM) Jaishankar on Saturday, August 10, emphasised that the partnership with Maldives is based on a deep desire to work together for each other’s welfare and interests. Jaishankar arrived in Maldives on Friday, August 9, on a three-day official visit to reset bilateral ties with Maldives after tensions between the two countries in November 2023.
Jaishankar and his Maldivian counterpart Moosa Zameer inaugurated high impact community development projects – street lighting, mental health, children’s speech therapy, special education – in Male and signed MoUs.
In a post on X, S Jaishankar said, “Had useful discussions with Foreign Minister @MoosaZameer in Male today. The agenda covered development partnership, capacity building, bilateral and regional security, trade and our engagement in digital cooperation. Jointly inaugurated 6 high impact projects in the areas of street lighting, mental health, children’s speech therapy and special education. MoU signed between National Payments Corporation of India and Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Maldives on introduction of digital payment system in Maldives.”
Addressing a press conference, Jaishankar said, “India’s partnership with Maldives is based on our deep desire to work together for each other’s welfare and interests. It is a partnership that has always enabled us to respond swiftly and effectively to challenges we have seen in the past.”
The Union Minister said, “Maldives is one of the pillars of our ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, it is one of our Vision Sagar, as well as our commitment to the Global South. To summarise in the words of Prime Minister Narendra Modi – neighbourhood is a priority for India and Maldives is a priority in the neighbourhood.”
“We also have the closest ties of history and kinship,” Jaishankar said.
Relations between the Maldives and India saw tensions in November 2023 when Mohammed Muizzu, known for his pro-China stance, took charge of the government. During his three-day visit, Jaishankar is scheduled to meet Mohammed Muizzu.
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