Male: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a bilateral meeting with Maldives Defence Minister Mohammed Ghassan Maumoon on Saturday. In this, there was discussion on increasing security cooperation between the two countries. The discussion focused on joint initiatives for maritime security, the common goal of maintaining regional peace and stability.
After the meeting, the Foreign Minister wrote in a post on X, “Had a very good meeting with Defence Minister Mohammed Ghassan Maumoon. Discussions took place on Indian-Maldives defence, security cooperation, joint initiatives for maritime security and our shared interests in maintaining peace and stability in the region.”
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Earlier, he participated in a symbolic tree planting ceremony at Lonujiarai Park in Male, where he planted a carambola (star fruit) sapling along with Maldives Foreign Minister Moosa Jameer and Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy Thoriq Ibrahim. The event symbolises the shared commitment of both countries towards lasting relations between India and Maldives.
Foreign Minister Jaishankar had highlighted the importance of his visit while addressing the media on Friday. He had said, “This visit is an opportunity to take stock of what our countries have achieved together? It is also an opportunity to prepare an ambitious blueprint for the years to come. I am confident, it will be a truly multifaceted partnership.”
Emphasising the strategic importance of Maldives in India’s foreign policy, he said, “Maldives is one of the cornerstones of our ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, it is one of our ‘Vision Sagar’. Along with our commitment to the Global South. To paraphrase Prime Minister Narendra Modi, neighbourhood is a priority for India, and Maldives is a priority in the neighbourhood.”
Foreign Minister Jaishankar also underlined the common challenges faced by the two countries and the importance of their defence and security cooperation. He said, “As neighbours, we face similar challenges and have a shared interest in maintaining peace and security in the region. Our defence and security cooperation is aimed at addressing many common challenges, and I look forward to it.”
Speaking about the strong ties between India and Maldives, the External Affairs Minister said, “India’s partnership with Maldives is based on our deep desire to work together for each other’s welfare and interests. It is a partnership that has always enabled us to respond swiftly and effectively.”
Let us tell you that Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar reached Maldives on Friday evening on a three-day visit. This is his first visit after taking charge for his second term as Foreign Minister in June this year.
Tag: Maldives, S Jaishankar
first published : August 10, 2024, 2:55 pm IST
