A British High Commission has been established in the Maldives.
The British High Commission in the Maldives was officially inaugurated on February 17 by the British Minister of State for South and Central Asia, North Africa, United Nations and the Commonwealth, Lord Tariq Ahmad and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the Maldives Ahmed Khaleel. The ceremony held to open the British High Commission in Maldives was attended virtually by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives Abdulla Shahid.
In a video message delivered at the ceremony, Minister Shahid said the establishment of a British High Commission in the Maldives reflects the mutual desire of the Maldives and the UK to further strengthen bilateral ties. The foreign minister highlighted the importance of the UK for the Maldives as an economic, social and political development partner.
With the establishment of the British High Commission in the Maldives, the UK becomes the first European nation to establish a diplomatic mission in the Maldives. Meanwhile, Australia has also recently announced the decision to establish a high commission in the Maldives.