The United States (US) has expressed interest in expanding trade and other areas of cooperation with the Maldives. The discussion was held during a meeting between President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and Donald Lu, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs of the US Department of State.
During the meeting held at the President's Office, President Muizzu and Assistant Secretary of State Lu discussed further strengthening the warm relations between the Maldives and the United States. Lu expressed the US interest in expanding areas of cooperation with the Maldives, including trade and economic development, tourism cooperation, and Indian Ocean Security. The President expressed his gratitude and emphasised that under his foreign policy, the Maldives welcomes developmental initiatives that benefit the Maldives and diversify the economy.
Additionally, President Muizzu and Assistant Secretary of State Lu spoke on international matters of mutual concern. In this regard, the President expressed his hope that the Israeli aggression in Gaza would reach a permanent ceasefire soon, noting the imminent holy month of Ramadan. He further added that peace can only be achieved through a two-state solution, Palestine as an independent State with East Jerusalem as its capital within pre-1967 borders.
Concluding the conversation, Assistant Secretary of State Lu congratulated President Muizzu on winning the presidential election, and the peaceful transition. He also commended on the notable democratic actions in his first few months in office, which set an example to South Asia and the rest of the world.