Foreign Secretary of India, Harsh Vardhan Shringla has paid a courtesy call on President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
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 the two countries are matched by the frequent and friendly interactions between the people of the two countries. The President also thanked India for the assistance provided to 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 the country reopened its 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, 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 of India, Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Both the President and Foreign Secretary affirmed their mutual commitment to ensuring that Maldives-India relations always remain strong.