On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with representatives of a number of Maldivian political groups. The involvement of officials from a wide range of political backgrounds, he said, highlights the bipartisan support for the “strong and time-tested friendship” between the two countries.
The meeting was attended by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and other officials.
“Had a fruitful meeting with representatives of the Maldives’ various political parties. Leaders from a wide range of political backgrounds participated, demonstrating the bipartisan support for the enduring and solid India-Maldives alliance. This significant collaboration is still guided by our common ideals,” PM Modi wrote on X.
PM Modi met with Mohamed Nasheed, the former president of the Maldives, earlier in the day on Saturday and promised him that New Delhi would support Male through developmental cooperation and capacity building.
Nasheed has always been a fervent supporter of “deeper friendship” between India and the Maldives, according to PM Modi.
PM Modi wrote on X, “I met Mr. Mohamed Nasheed, the former president of the Maldives. He has consistently argued for closer ties between India and the Maldives. discussed how the Maldives will always be a valued cornerstone of our Mahasagar vision and “Neighbourhood First” policy. India will continue to provide the Maldives with developmental cooperation and capacity building.
In his meeting with Speaker of the People’s Majlis Abdul Raheem Abdulla, PM Modi also reaffirmed India’s commitment to helping the Maldives develop its capabilities. The establishment of the India-Maldives Parliamentary Friendship Group in the 20th Majlis was described by Prime Minister Modi as a “welcome step” for bilateral relations.
“I met the Speaker of the People’s Majlis, Mr. Abdul Raheem Abdulla. discussed the close ties between our respective parliaments as well as the longstanding friendship between India and the Maldives. It is a positive milestone for bilateral relations when the 20th Majlis established the India-Maldives Parliamentary Friendship Group. “India is still dedicated to helping the Maldives develop its capacity,” PM Modi wrote on X.
On Saturday, PM Modi met with Mohamed Latheef, the vice president of the Maldives. The two leaders discussed important aspects of the friendship between India and the Maldives during the meeting.
“We discussed important pillars of the India-Maldives friendship,” PM Modi wrote in a post on X after the meeting. Infrastructure, technology, energy, climate change, and other areas continue to be areas of strong collaboration between our countries. This is very good for our people. In the upcoming years, we hope to strengthen this partnership.
After wrapping up his visit to the UK, PM Modi landed in the Maldives on Friday for a two-day state visit. This is Prime Minister Modi’s third trip to the Maldives; he has already been there in 2018 and 2019. It is also the first time a Head of State or Government has visited the Maldives under Mohamed Muizzu’s presidency, which started in November 2023.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated in a statement that PM Modi signed a number of agreements in a variety of sectors on Friday during his visit to Male at the invitation of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, reinforcing the two countries’ bilateral partnership.
In addition, PM Modi and President Muizzu jointly issued commemorative stamps to commemorate the 60th anniversary of India and the Maldives’ diplomatic relations being established. Additionally, the two leaders virtually launched six High Impact Community Development Projects in other locations as well as a road and drainage system project in Addu city.
Prime Minister Modi gave the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) and immigration officials 72 cars and 3,300 social housing units.
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