India's Minister of External Affairs Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar has met with the senior officials of the opposition party, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). The external minister met with the President of MDP Abdullah Shaheed, Vice President of the party Hisaan Hussain, the Parliamentary Group Leader Ibrahim Nazil and other senior officials of the party.
The statement issued by the MDP following the meeting stated the bilateral ties between the two states were built on mutual respect, similar views on international laws, the safety and security of both nations and the efforts to maintain regional safety across the Indian Ocean. It also indicated that India was one of the closest and most reliable allies of the Maldives.
In the statement, MDP's President Shaheed extended his heartfelt appreciation to Minister Jaishankar for his visit to the Maldives. He also expressed gratitude for the renewal of existing agreements and the signing of new agreements between the Maldives and India. The statement emphasised the long-standing and positive relationship between the Maldives and India. It also expressed optimism about the continued strength and significance of their bilateral ties.
Additionally, the statement shed light on various areas in which India assisted the Maldives. This includes the development of the biggest industrial project-the Greater Male' Region Connectivity Project. It also includes the establishment of a college in Addu City, the development of a new building for Coast Guard, the dockyard and harbour developed in Uthuru Thila Falhu for the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), road developmental projects, the establishment of water and sewerage facilities across 36 islands and several other projects.