August 10th 2024.
The External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, recently had the opportunity to meet with the President of Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu, during his visit to the country on Saturday. During their meeting, Jaishankar emphasized India's commitment to strengthening the ties between the two nations for the betterment of their people as well as the surrounding region. This official visit by Jaishankar marks the first high-level trip from India since President Muizzu, who is known for his pro-China stance, assumed office last year.
In a post on X, Jaishankar shared a photo of his meeting with President Muizzu and expressed how honored he was to call on the President and convey the greetings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also reaffirmed India's dedication to deepening their relationship with Maldives for the benefit of both countries and the region as a whole. This visit by Jaishankar follows President Muizzu's visit to India in June for Prime Minister Modi's swearing-in ceremony.
During his visit, Jaishankar also met with Maldivian Defence Minister Ghassan Maumoon to discuss bilateral security cooperation and their shared interest in maintaining peace and stability in the region, amidst China's increasing presence in the archipelago nation. The relationship between India and Maldives has been under strain since President Muizzu took office in 2023 due to his pro-China leanings. However, both countries have been working towards strengthening their ties, and this visit by Jaishankar is a step towards that.
This is not the first time Jaishankar has visited Maldives, as he had previously visited in January 2023. However, this is his first official visit since starting his second term in June 2024. He will be in the country until August 11, at the invitation of his counterpart, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives, Moosa Zameer. The Ministry of External Affairs has stated that Maldives is a key maritime neighbor of India and an important partner in their "Neighbourhood First" policy and "SAGAR" vision, which stands for "Security and Growth for All in the Region."
The purpose of this visit is to strengthen the already close partnership between India and Maldives and explore opportunities to further enhance their bilateral relationship. The Maldives is a crucial neighbor for India in the Indian Ocean region, and their overall ties, including in the areas of defense and security, have seen significant progress under the previous government in Maldives.
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