Addu City, Maldives – External Affairs Minister of India, Dr. S. Jaishankar has said that the Maldives-India relationship is a force for stability in the region.
In a series of tweets sent out by the Minister following bilateral discussions between both countries during his official visit to Addu City, Maldives, Dr. Jaishankar expressed his pleasure to visit the country after a year.
He added that despite the pandemic, the relationship between both countries witnessed fast-paced progress this year under the guidance of Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and President of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, and congratulated Maldives for “scripting a success story in this adversity.”
Referring to the agreements signed between India and Maldives, the Minister talked about the reciprocal recognition of Covid vaccine certifications of both countries, adding that India has been the top source of tourists for the Maldives and that India has been an ally to the Maldives by facilitating smooth supply of essential good and commodities to the country.
In another tweet in the thread, Minister Jaishankar reflected that both he and Foreign Minister of Maldives Abdullah Shahid took stock of projects and initiatives ongoing in Maldives, commenting that they make a real difference to the development of Maldives and that some of these projects would be inaugurated today.
The Minister concluded his thread of tweets, which he also published in the local Maldivian language ‘Dhivehi‘, by saying “Our time-tested relationship is poised for a quantum jump to touch the lives of our people like never before. It is a force for stability in the region. It is our shared responsibility to nurture and strengthen it.”
This is Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar’s third visit to the Maldives, in his capacity as the Minister of External Affairs of India and his first to Addu City. His last visit to the Maldives was in February 2021.
