Vice President Dr Mohamed Waheed last evening attended the grand finale of India-Maldives Friendship Festival 2010 organised by the High Commission of India in cooperation with the India Club of the Maldives.
India-Maldives Friendship Festival 2010 was inaugurated by President Mohamed Nasheed on 25 July.
Speaking at the final event of this year’s festival held at Dharubaaruge, Vice President Dr Waheed said today both the Maldives and India faced the most rapid social and political transformations both countries had ever experienced.
He said while India was emerging as an economic superpower against a rich tapestry of diverse cultures, religions and languages, the Maldives was emerging with a diverse, open and plural political system.
The Vice President stressed that there were a number of lessons both country could learn from each other under these circumstances, especially in areas of tourism, democracy building and sustainable development.
Noting that, the Maldives had strengthened cultural and strategic ties with India within a very short period of time, the Vice President said the festival was a celebration of close cultural and economic relationship as well as long standing friendship between both countries.
He said this year’s festival brought Indian experience to Maldivians in a way we had not seen before.
India-Maldives Friendship Festival 2010 featured a number Indian artists, performers, intellectuals and investors who visited especially for the event.
Last evening’s function marked the finale of the second instalment of the India-Maldives Friendship Festivals. The first event was held in 2009. Last evening’s function featured cultural presentations by renowned Indian performers Surinder Sagar and party and music band of the Maldives Police Service, 119 Police.
