The UK Minister of State for South and Central Asia, United Nations and the Commonwealth Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon has held discussions on eliminating tariffs for Maldivian Tuna exports. Lord Ahmad held the discussions during a meeting with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Khaleel. He arrived in the Maldives on an official visit, marking the first high-level visit to the Maldives from the UK since 2018.
During the meeting, State Minister Khaleel welcomed Lord Ahmad and reiterated the commitment of the Maldives to working closely with the UK on issues of mutual interests for both countries. State Minister Khaleel and Lord Ahmad further discussed avenues of cooperation in the areas of higher education, counter-terrorism, defence, environment, climate change, tourism, and fisheries including eliminating tariffs for Maldivian Tuna exports to the UK. They also reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation in the international arena, especially through the Commonwealth.
State Minister Khaleel was accompanied at the meeting by Foreign Secretary Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed, Secretary Multilateral Dr. Hala Hameed, and senior officials of the foreign ministry.