Indian Ambassador to Maldives Akilesh Mishra has said maintaining peace, stability and security of this very vital part of the world is an area in which India and Maldives has been working closely together.
The Ambassador made the remarks while speaking on PSM News' current affairs talk show "Talk Maldives". Citing that India values Maldives as a sovereign, independent, proud and patriotic country, Ambassador Mishra said that the countries have a unique relationship based on shared history and culture. He noted that the past, present and future of India and Maldives are interconnected through the Indian Ocean.
"We both share the Indian Ocean, we are connected by the Indian Ocean waters. It has a very profound message to the people of both countries that our past, present and future are inseparably interconnected, our peace, prosperity, wellbeing and happiness is interwoven. Maintaining peace and security and stability of this very vital part of the world is an area in which India and Maldives has been working very very closely. India was the very first country to have diplomatic ties with Maldives, to establish a diplomatic mission in Male'. This is a very special gesture, what it signifies is that India really cherishes, really values Maldives as a sovereign, independent, proud, patriotic country" said the Indian Ambassador to the Maldvies.
Referring to the extensive, multidimensional relations between the people of India and Maldives, Ambassador Mishra said that currently there are over 25 thousand Indian professionals working in Maldives.
"Currently we estimate that there are around 25 thousand Indians working in the Maldives. And they are in very significant sectors, like in most of the resorts you have Indian professionals in the accounts and finances and key departments. Most of the hospitals there are Indian doctors, Indian nurses. Most of schools in every island I have been in, I have seen Indian teachers working there. So this is a very profound message. Because the people of Maldives have shown extraordinary amount of trust, and goodwill and hospitality to the people of India. You do not task your life with someone whom you don't trust. You don't trust your finances whom you don't trust. And also the most previous a family has are children, you give your children Indian teachers. So I constantly remind the Indian teachers that this is an expression of enormous faith and trust in the Indian teachers." he said.
Foundation of the India Maldives relationship is truly broad-based, established on history, culture and mutual respect for each other, he added.