Indian Minister of External Affairs, Shri Salman Khurshid has called on President Abdullah Yameen Abdul Gayoom.
The External Minister noted that India and Maldives were friendly neighbors and partners in democracy. He said that India would put in maximum effort in to collaborating with Maldives, and helping to fulfill the wishes of the Maldivian people. He also assured of India’s commitment to working closely and nurturing the friendship with Maldives.
Congratulating President Yameen on his election victory, the Minister noted that elections were a triumph for the will of the people.
President Yameen thanked the Indian External Minister for India’s generous assistance in human resource development; especially in the areas of military and police. He also thanked India for its willingness to support the Maldives in alleviating the current difficulties related to energy and petroleum.
At the meeting, President Yameen said that Maldives always looks up to India for its leadership in SAARC, and welcomes India’s pivotal role in regional affairs, including its efforts to ensure safety and security in the Indian Ocean peninsula. The President thanked India for its support in strengthening the security cooperation with the Maldives. He also noted that he looked forward to welcoming the External Minister for SAARC Council of Ministers’ meeting to be held in the Maldives next month.
Further, the President said that India was Maldives’ key partner in diplomacy, and highlighted the key priorities of his government. He also briefed the Minister on his visions for economic transformation, and thanked the Minister for facilitating the landmark agreements during this visit.
