The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has revealed that the government of Australia opened a High Commission in the Maldives.
The Australian High Commission is located on the fifth floor of Hotel Jen and will provide consular services and assistance in obtaining legal documents for Australians residing in the Maldives and travelling to the Maldives. The foreign ministry, however, stated that passport services will continue to be provided through the Australian High Commission in Sri Lanka, despite the establishment of the Australian High Commission in the Maldives.
In a tweet, Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid said the establishment of the Australian High Commission in the Maldives will pave the way for the relations between the Maldives-Australia to reach new heights.
Australia announced the decision to establish a High Commission in the Maldives in February last year as part of the efforts to provide a diplomatic presence in Maldives that will build on the shared aspirations of the two countries for a stable, secure, and resilient Indo-Pacific.
The Maldives and Australia established diplomatic relations in 1974. Many Maldivian students travel to Australia for higher education. Australia also provides the Maldives with technical expertise for various projects.
There are eight resident diplomatic missions in the Maldives following the opening of the Australian High Commission.