India’s support for the socio-economic development of the Maldives will continue, assures the country’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

The remarks were made during a meeting with the Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid held at the Hyderabad House on Friday.

FM Shahid departed on an official visit to Delhi, India on Wednesday afternoon and he was welcomed by EAM Jaishankar during Friday’s meeting, where the pair engaged in discussions revolving around several matters of mutual concern.

As such, reaffirming that India’s support for the socio-economic growth of Maldives will continue, EAM Jaishankar noted that the neighboring nation will also continue the supply of essential commodities uninterruptedly.

EAM Jaishankar also expressed appreciation that the Maldivian foreign minister participated in the Raisina Dialogue and shed light on the “steady progress” in the India-Maldives partnership.

The Indian External Affairs Minister also expressed commitment to work closely in the international arena as well.

During the meeting, FM Shahid expressed gratitude to the Indian External Affairs Minister for the generous hospitality extended to him and the delegation he leads.

Discussions at the meeting revolved around the evolving situation of the ongoing global Covid-19 pandemic as well as the vaccination programmes launched to combat the spread of the pandemic. In light of this, the Maldivian foreign minister thanked the Indian government for continuous assistance provided to the people and government of Maldives during the coronavirus pandemic.

FM Shahid’s ongoing three-day official trip is his first visit to New Delhi since January 2020. The trip was scheduled with an aim to strengthen ties and enhance the long-standing partnership between the neighboring countries.

FM Shahid also called on some of the non-resident ambassadors accredited to the Maldives in Delhi, during his visit.

During a visit to the Maldives in February this year, the Indian Minister had stated that the biggest achievements in the relationship between India and Maldives is the trust and strong bonds established over the years, adding that the spirit of friendship between the two countries had grown significantly stronger as a result of mutual aid and understanding amid times of crisis.