President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has stated enhancing ties with India and other countries of the Indian Ocean is one of the main priorities of Maldivian foreign policy.
Speaking at a meeting held with Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi on the side-lines of the ongoing 74th Annual Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), President Solih expressed his delight with the opportunity to showcase the strength of the relationship between Maldives and other Indian Ocean countries while hosting the 4th Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) earlier this month.
The president highlighted the many areas in which the two governments agreed to cooperate, including key development and infrastructural projects, as well as economic cooperation. He further stated some of these projects have progressed to the implementation stage and the Maldivian people are already beginning to reap the benefits of the cooperation with India. He also congratulated Prime Minister Modi for efforts of India as a leader of pragmatic climate action, particularly at the Climate Action Summit.
Prime Minister Modi noted the Indian delegation returned immensely happy from the IOC held in Maldives and congratulated President Solih for successfully hosting a conference of such magnitude. He further highlighted the increased bilateral cooperation between the two countries since President Solih's administration took office.
Conversing on ways of taking forward the mutual interests of Maldives and India in the international arena, the two leaders noted the ongoing UNGA provides a singular opportunity to accomplish the goals and objectives.
Ending the call, both leaders expressed their resolve to continue to work together towards mutual benefits and to preserve the historic friendship between the two countries.