India, Maldives explore ways to boost strategic ties
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India and Maldives on Monday explored ways to boost trade and strategic cooperation even as Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel backed New Delhi's fight against terrorism. Khaleel, accompanied by a high-level delegation, is on a three-day visit to India to review the implementation of the comprehensive economic and maritime security partnership that was agreed during Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu's trip to New Delhi last October.The Maldivian foreign minister led his country's delegation at a meeting of the High Level Core Group (HLCG) that was tasked to oversee progress in the implementation of the India-Maldives vision document on comprehensive economic and maritime security partnership.The discussions at the core group meeting focused on ways to intensify political exchanges, defence and security cooperation, development partnership, trade, economy, health and people-to-people linkages, the external affairs ministry said.Khaleel "strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam" on April 22 and expressed the Maldives' "solidarity with the people and government of India and its firm support to India in the fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations", the ministry said.Khaleel also held a meeting with external affairs minister S Jaishankar."Welcome Maldives' support and solidarity in combatting terrorism. India remains committed to Maldives' progress and development," Jaishankar said in a social media post.In a statement, the ministry of external affairs said Khaleel "expressed Maldives' solidarity with the people and government of India and its firm support to India in the fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations"."Foreign Minister Khaleel also thanked the government of India for the timely emergency financial assistance extended to Maldives, which has made a positive impact on the everyday life of Maldivians," it said."Maldives is India's key maritime neighbour and an important partner in India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy and Vision MAHASAGAR that is Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions," it added."The visit has strengthened the Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership between the two countries," the ministry said.The ties between India and the Maldives came under severe strain after Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, took charge of the top office in November 2023.Within hours of his oath, he had demanded the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from his country. Subsequently, the Indian military personnel were replaced by civilians.There was a thaw in the relations as Muizzu vowed to boost the bilateral ties with India during his visit to Delhi in October.
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