India Maldives bilateral relations: The long standing relations between India and Maldives seem to be weakening. India and Maldives on Friday (January 3, 2025) agreed to promote the use of local issues for cross-border trade and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said, ‘India always stands with Maldives.’ Jaishankar made these comments in a meeting with his Maldivian counterpart Abdulla Khalil in Delhi.
S. Jaishankar and Abdullah Khalil discussed ways to strengthen bilateral ties in several key areas, including maritime security, trade and investment. Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Khalil has arrived on a three-day visit.
S. Jaishankar said, ‘A framework has been signed to promote the use of local issues for cross-border transactions. We have expanded our partnership in various fields and I would like to say that India always stands with Maldives. You are very important to our Neighborhood First policy.
Maldives said- thank you
On his part, Dr. Khalil, Foreign Minister of Maldives, appreciated India’s emergency financial assistance to Maldives in its hour of need, which reflects India’s role as Maldives’ first priority. Maldives thanked India. Chairman Dr. Reaffirmed the strong commitment of Muizzu and the Government of Maldives.