Maldives: Minister Of Foreign Affairs Engages With Indian Envoy, Highlights Bilateral Ties

Abdulla Khaleel, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives, met with India’s High Commissioner to the Maldives, Munu Mahawar, to discuss the close, neighborly relations between the two nations. The two also explored potential new avenues to further enhance their longstanding partnership.

In a post on X, Khaleel shared, “It was a pleasure to meet with High Commissioner of India to the Maldives, Munu Mahawar today. As this was my first meeting with the High Commissioner in my new role, we reflected on the close, neighbourly relations between the Maldives and India. Our discussions also focused on ongoing cooperation, as well as exploring potential new avenues to further strengthen the enduring partnership between the two countries.”

Earlier, on September 27, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu told ANI that he plans to visit India as soon as possible, praising the “very strong” bilateral relationship between the two countries. “I am planning to visit (India) as soon as possible…We have a very strong bilateral relationship,” Muizzu stated during the 79th United Nations General Assembly.

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Notably, if the visit happens, it will be Muizzu’s second trip to India, following his first in June for the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Traditionally, every Maldivian President made India their first foreign visit, but Muizzu broke this trend by visiting Turkiye and China first after taking office earlier this year.

Since taking office, the Mohamed Muizzu government has adopted a reconciliatory approach after relations between the two nations became strained. Muizzu, who campaigned on an ‘India Out’ platform, with a focus on the removal of Indian troops from the Maldives, has taken several unconventional steps in the context of India-Maldives ties.

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