Waves of Progress: India and Maldives Set Sail for Stronger Economic and Maritime Ties

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his Maldivian counterpart Abdulla Khaleel will convene to assess the updates on the India-Maldives comprehensive economic, and maritime security partnership on Monday. Khaleel, who arrived in India on Sunday evening with a high-level delegation, is on his third visit to the country in 2023.

 

The review exercise will take place under the framework of the vision document agreed upon by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu in October last year, that strengthens economic cooperation and maritime security cooperation between the two countries. Khaleel will represent the Maldives delegation, who will lead the second High-Level Core Group meeting, which tracks the implementation of this partnership.

 

The Ministry of External Affairs indicated the Maldives is India's important maritime neighbor and an essential partner in India's ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and in the MAHASAGAR vision, which stands for Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.

 

Bilateral relations that initially came under strain after President Muizzu assumed office in November 2023 and called for the repatriation of Indian military personnel from the Maldives, improved after Muizzu's pledge to strengthen relations during his Delhi visit in October.

 

Source: The Hindu Business Line