Chennai, India – Foreign Minister of Maldives, Abdulla Shahid has said that Maldives-India partnership is integral to maintaining stability in the Indian Ocean.
Speaking at the India Today Conclave-South at the session entitled, “Neighbourhood Navigation: The Common Water: Old Ties, New Strategies.”, Minister Shahid said that the geographic location of Maldives, passing through the major sea lines of communication, makes the Maldives an invaluable partner and an important link in global trade.
Minister Shahid also highlighted the central role that India plays in creating an atmosphere for building confidence in the regional arrangements. He noted that India inspires and leads the development of these mechanisms into strong and credible institutions that can foster regional peace and security, and ensure coordination and collaboration.
Minister Shahid highlighted on the future prospects of the Indian Ocean Region, noted that the establishment of democratic peace and stability in the region has created a conducive environment for the development of a collaborative, rules-based order, which will in turn foster the continued growth and overall development of the Indian Ocean Region countries.
Minister also told that recent developments, such as IORA’s Working Group on Maritime Safety and Security, the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium and the Galle Dialogue, are encouraging signs of strong commitment towards establishing a formal set of mechanisms for a multilateral approach in maintaining order in the Indian Ocean Region.
He also added that India inspires and leads the development of these mechanisms into strong and credible institutions that can foster regional peace and security, and ensure coordination and collaboration, in an effort to uphold order, and peace in the Indian Ocean.
