Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid has departed India after concluding his Official Visit to New Delhi.
During the visit, Minister Shahid met with the Minister of External Affairs of India Dr. S. Jaishankar and held bilateral talks where in-depth discussion on all aspects of the relations between the Maldives and India took place. In addition, they reflected on the historic relationship between both countries and gave their commitments to continue working closely together, bilaterally and in the international fora, on priority areas of mutual interest.
Additionally, Minister Shahid and Minister Jaishankar shared their visions relating to development cooperation, tourism cooperation, human resource development, multilateral engagements, and consular affairs. They also emphasised on the importance of exploring further avenues to deepen the Maldives-India partnership.
Furthermore, Minister Shahid and Minister Jaishankar presided over the exchange of nine Memoranda of Understandings (MoU) between the Maldives and India in the field of socio-economic development. Minister Shahid also delivered the 43rd Sapru House Lecture (SHL) at the Indian Council of World Affairs. In the lecture titled The Power of Small: The Maldives Story, he outlined how the Maldives as a small state navigated the perils of international diplomacy through adapting and adjusting by means of successful strategies.
Minister Shahid also met with the non-resident high commissioners and ambassadors accredited to the Maldives based in New Delhi. He visited the High Commission of the Maldives in India where he met with the diplomatic and local staff. In addition, he engaged with several Indian media and spoke about the Maldives-India partnership, the overall development of the Maldives and India’s pivotal role.