External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday held a meeting with Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel and emphasised the strong bilateral ties between India and the Maldives.
Speaking in New Delhi during Khaleel’s first official visit to India, Jaishankar highlighted recent developments aimed at strengthening ties, including a new framework to facilitate local currency use for cross-border transactions.
Welcoming Khaleel and his delegation, Jaishankar remarked on the symbolic significance of the visit, noting it marked the first diplomatic meeting of the new year. “I am delighted to welcome you and your delegation. It is heartening to share positive developments in our relationship, such as the agreement to use local currencies for trade,” he said.
Jaishankar further reaffirmed India’s commitment to the Maldives, and described the country as a “concrete expression” of India’s Neighborhood First policy.
“We have increased our engagements in various sectors. I do want to say that India has always stood by Maldives. For us, you are a very concrete expression of our neighbourhood’s first policy,” Jaishankar said.
Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s long-standing support for the Maldives, calling the nation a “true example” of India’s Neighbourhood First policy. “India has consistently stood by the Maldives. Our partnership is a reflection of our commitment to this principle,” he added, referencing efforts to supply essential commodities and foster broader cooperation.
The ministers discussed various areas of collaboration, emphasizing maritime security, economic cooperation, and capacity building. Khaleel’s visit follows an earlier meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu in October 2024, where the leaders resolved to deepen economic and security ties in the Indian Ocean region.
During those talks, both nations committed to tackling shared maritime challenges, including piracy, illegal fishing, drug trafficking, and terrorism. India also pledged to assist in completing the Maldives National Defence Force’s ‘Ekatha’ harbour project at Uthuru Thila Falhu (UTF), which will bolster Maldives’ maritime capabilities.
Foreign Minister Khaleel’s three-day visit reinforces these goals, aiming to enhance collaboration between the two nations as they navigate regional and global challenges together.
