Maldives Minister of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development Dr Ali Haidar Ahmed has met Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in Dhaka, while visiting the country as a special envoy of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu.
The meeting took place on Thursday afternoon, on the sidelines of a state funeral held in honour of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Dr Haidar was appointed by the President to represent the Maldives at the ceremony.
During the call, Professor Yunus thanked the Maldivian minister for travelling to Bangladesh at short notice. Dr Haidar conveyed condolences and messages of goodwill from President Muizzu, describing the late Begum Khaleda Zia as a close friend of the Maldives.
He also highlighted the longstanding ties between the two countries, noting the significant contribution of Bangladeshi migrant workers to Maldivian society. The minister expressed appreciation for Bangladesh’s continued support in enabling Maldivian medical students to complete their internships in the country.
Professor Yunus described the Maldives as a close friend of Bangladesh and said his recent engagements with leaders of all South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) member states had reaffirmed that the regional bloc remains active.
Dr Haidar extended best wishes from the Maldivian government ahead of Bangladesh’s forthcoming elections. Professor Yunus briefed the minister on the country’s current political situation and thanked the Maldives for its continued support.
Both sides also discussed the potential for increased cooperation in ocean research, identifying it as an area of shared interest.
The meeting concluded with Dr Haidar formally handing over a written message of condolence from President Muizzu to Professor Yunus.