The Maldives and Japan have expressed commitment to working closely together in order to foster mutual growth and development. The discussions took place during the 4th Round of the Japan-Maldives Policy Dialogue in April in Tokyo, Japan.
The Maldivian delegation was led by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Khaleel and the Japanese Delegation was led by Director-General, Southeast and Southwest Asian Department Arima Yutaka. The discussion throughout the dialogue was productive, drawing upon the solid foundation established during the preceding three rounds of the policy dialogue.
In a statement, the Foreign Ministry of the Maldives said the dialogue focused on enhancing the already close relations between the two countries, especially through economic and development cooperation, trade and investment, cultural exchanges, and in regional and maritime cooperation. The dialogue featured discussions on potential avenues for collaboration, aiming to create a prosperous future for both countries through joint efforts and initiatives.
Additionally, the Maldives and Japan addressed pressing regional and global concerns, emphasising the importance of maintaining peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. The Maldives and Japan also explored opportunities for joint initiatives and partnerships to tackle these challenges, including in a free and open Indian Ocean region. The dialogue also emphasised the importance of cultural exchange and educational cooperation, recognising that these interactions deepen mutual understanding and strengthen the bond between the two nations. As such, both parties agreed to promote and support more frequent engagements in the fields of arts, culture, sports, and education, furthering the growth of their relationship.
The Policy Dialogue, which was first held in 2018, has become an important mechanism for the two countries to strengthen their bilateral relationship. The previous rounds of the Policy Dialogue have covered a wide range of issues, including trade and investment, tourism, climate change, maritime security, and people-to-people exchanges.
The Maldives and Japan regularly hold bilateral discussions to explore avenues for future cooperation, exchange ideas, and deliberate on economic cooperation. The last policy dialogue between the two countries was held virtually in March 2021.