<p> </p> <div align="center" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;line-height:150%;border:none;"><b> </b></div> <div style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal;border:none;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;Times New Roman","serif";Arial Unicode MS"; border:none">Your Excellency Rajeev Shahare, the High Commissioner of India to the Maldives, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister at the President’s Office Honourable Mohamed Hussain Shareef,Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,</span></div> <div style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal;border:none;"> </div> <div style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal;border:none;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;Times New Roman","serif";Arial Unicode MS"; border:none">Assalaamu Alaikum Warahmathullahi Wabarakaathuh</span></div> <div style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal;border:none;"> </div> <div style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal;border:none;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;Times New Roman","serif";Arial Unicode MS"; border:none">At the outset, I wish to convey to High Commissioner Shahare, the industrious staff at the Indian High Commission in Male’, and the Indian expatriate community in Male’ the greetings and well wishes of President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom. May I also take this opportunity to thank you, High Commissioner Shahare, for inviting me to attend this memorable event. It has truly been a pleasure witnessing the wonderful fusion of Maldivian and Indian talents here tonight. </span></div> <div style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal;border:none;"> </div> <div style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal;border:none;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;Times New Roman","serif";Arial Unicode MS"; border:none">As close and friendly neighbours, the strong ethnic, linguistic, and cultural ties between our two countries are undeniable. Congratulations, your Excellency and the friendly staff at the High Commission of India for organising these spectacular events. </span></div> <div style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal;border:none;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;Times New Roman","serif";Arial Unicode MS"; border:none">Alliance, trust and mutual understanding are but a few words that have been used to describe the close ties of friendship between the Maldives and India. India was among the first nations to recognise Maldives after its independence in 1965, and to establish diplomatic relations with our country. I am proud to highlight that 1st November of this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the Maldives and India. This year also marks the Golden Jubilee of our National Independence, signifying the special bond between our neighbourly countries.</span></div> <div style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal;border:none;"> </div> <div style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal;border:none;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;Times New Roman","serif";Arial Unicode MS"; border:none">There have indeed been many high points in Maldives-India relations over the past five decades, marked by numerous high level visits and people to people exchanges at all levels. Recalling some of the defining moments of our bilateral history, I wish to highlight with immense satisfaction that a key feature of our friendship has been the eagerness with which we have supported each other at all times. </span></div> <div style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal;border:none;"> </div> <div style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal;border:none;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;Times New Roman","serif";Arial Unicode MS"; border:none">In times of both triumph and tragedy, India has proven itself to be a loyal ally to the Maldives. Be it a foreign terrorist coup attempt as with the 1988 mercenary attacks, the 2004 Asian Tsunami, or the Male’ Water Crisis, India has rushed to our aid wholeheartedly and generously.</span></div> <div style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal;border:none;"> </div> <div style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal;border:none;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;Times New Roman","serif";Arial Unicode MS"; border:none">For our part, we have always expressed our support and demonstrated our solidarity to India in every way possible, especially within the international arena. </span></div> <div style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:150%;border:none;"> </div> <div style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal;border:none;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;Times New Roman","serif";Arial Unicode MS"; border:none">The Maldives commends India’s pre-eminence in global politics, and will continue to support India on issues of regional and international interest. Indeed, the Indian Sub-Continent is a location of strategic importance, with rich resources and geographic conveniences. In order to realize the developmental aspirations of our two countries and our peoples, it is of the utmost importance to promote further bilateral trade and investment, develop sustainable infrastructure, and work more closely on economic cooperation on key areas of growth. Only then, will we be able to ensure prospects of accelerated development and greater opportunities for our future generations.</span></div> <div style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal;border:none;"> </div> <div style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal;border:none;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;Times New Roman","serif";Arial Unicode MS"; border:none">While reminiscing about a quarter of a century of special friendship and </span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;Times New Roman","serif";Arial Unicode MS"; border:none">‎</span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;Times New Roman","serif";Arial Unicode MS";border:none">committing to a future of sustained and enhanced relations between </span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;Times New Roman","serif";Arial Unicode MS";border:none">‎</span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;Times New Roman","serif";Arial Unicode MS"; border:none">our two countries, </span></div> <div style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal;border:none;"> </div> <div style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal;border:none;"> </div> <div style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal;border:none;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;Times New Roman","serif";Arial Unicode MS"; border:none">I pray for the continued progress and prosperity of the neighbourly people of India, and for everlasting friendship and cooperation between our two Governments and peoples.</span></div> <div style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal;border:none;"> </div> <div style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:150%;border:none;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 150%;Times New Roman","serif";Arial Unicode MS"; border:none">Thank you!</span></div> <div style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:150%;border:none;"><b> </b></div> <p> </p>
