Abdulla Khaleel, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives, has wrapped up his first official visit to India, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to strengthen the diplomatic and development cooperation between the two nations.

The visit featured high-level talks and the signing of key agreements aimed at enhancing bilateral relations. Khaleel met with India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, where the two leaders engaged in comprehensive discussions on expanding cooperation across a range of sectors, including development projects, infrastructure, and socio-economic initiatives.

In a statement, Khaleel expressed his gratitude for India’s steadfast support in addressing the fiscal challenges currently faced by the Maldives, underscoring the importance of this partnership in ensuring long-term economic stability for his country.

A standout moment of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDP). This agreement marks the beginning of the third phase of collaborative projects between the two countries, aimed at delivering tangible benefits to communities at the grassroots level. The projects under this phase are expected to bolster local infrastructure and improve livelihoods throughout the Maldives.

As part of his visit, Khaleel also toured the High Commission of Maldives in India, highlighting the continued commitment to strengthening ties between the two nations.

India and the Maldives share a deep historical, cultural, and ethnic connection, which has laid the groundwork for their strong bilateral relationship. India was among the first countries to recognize the Maldives’ independence in 1965 and has consistently been a crucial partner in its development efforts.

Over the years, this relationship has been further cemented through key visits, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attendance at the inauguration of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in 2018.

(Inputs from ANI)