Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives Abdulla Shahid has held bilateral consultations with Minister of External Affairs of India Sushma Swaraj.
During the official call, the foreign ministers agreed the State Visit of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to India will take place on December 17. In this regard, both ministers held wide consultations to lay the groundwork for the visit.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj reiterated India attaches highest importance to its relationship with Maldives which is marked by trust, transparency, mutual understanding and sensitivity. She said in line with Government of India's Neighbourhood First policy, India stands ready to fully support the Government of Maldives in its socio-economic development.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Shahid reiterated the India First policy and stated Government of Maldives looks forward to working closely with India on all issues. Minister Shahid reaffirmed special, close and friendly relations with India reiterating Maldives will be sensitive towards India's security and strategic concerns. Moreover, during the call, Sushma Swaraj welcomed decision of Maldives to re-join the Commonwealth and expressed India's support for it. She also welcomed Maldives into the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) as its newest member.
Furthermore, the two sides held discussions on how to strengthen the development partnership between both countries. India assured Maldives of support in implementing its development priorities and in ensuring fiscal and budgetary stability. In addition, the ministers recognised given the historical and cultural links between both countries, people-to-people contact between both countries was important. In this regard, they agreed to hold the meeting of the bilateral Consular Dialogue at the earliest.
The ministers further discussed security and defence matters including ongoing projects and new areas of cooperation. In this regard, they agreed to hold the next meeting of the Defence Cooperation Dialogue between both countries in December 2018. They also discussed ways and means to expand and diversify the bilateral economic and commercial relations. In this regard, they agreed the private sector needs to be encouraged to play a leading role.
Further, the Maldivian foreign minister invited the Indian external affairs minister to pay a bilateral visit to the Maldives which she agreed. They also decided to hold the next meeting of the Joint Commission at the level of foreign ministers at the earliest.
Minister Shahid is also expected to make an official call on Minister of Defence of India Nirmala Sitharaman and will call on President of India Ram Nath Kovind on November 27.