Minister of External Affairs of India, His Excellency Salman Khurshid has paid a courtesy call on President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.
At the meeting held at Bandos Island Resort and Spa, on the side of this morning’s Inauguration of the Meeting of the SAARC Council of Ministers, the Indian External Affairs Minister spoke on the close neighborly ties between the two countries, and the promising steps being taken towards further strengthening relations, particularly after the assumption of presidential office by President Yameen. Foreign Secretary Khurshid said that the two countries enjoy growing political trust and deepening exchanges in various fields. He also said that the two countries have been able to maintain good communication in international and regional affairs.
The Minister mentioned that India and Maldives shared common views on key issues of regional and global importance.
Minister Khurshid offered his assurance of the India government’s commitment to further enhancing relations with the Maldives, and said that India would support and assist the Maldives in every way possible.
At the meeting, President Yameen noted that the Maldives continues to attach the highest priority to SAARC. He thanked External Affairs Minister Khurshid for his encouraging remarks. He also spoke on the importance of supporting the reform efforts undertaken by the SAARC Secretariat in increasing the regional body’s efficiency and effectiveness.
The President was joined at the call by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Dunya Maumoon, Minister at the President’s Office, Hon. Mohamed Hussain Shareef, Minister at the President’s Office, Hon. Abdulla Ameen, Foreign Secretary, Dr. Ali Naseer Mohamed, and Ambassador-at-Large, His Excellency Abdulla Hameed.
