Visit of External Affairs Minister Smt Sushma Swaraj to Maldives (October 10-11, 2015)

External Affairs Minister Smt. Sushma Swaraj visited Maldives on October 10-11, 2015. She co-chaired the 5th Meeting of the India-Maldives Joint Commission.  The Joint Commission was set up under the 1986 Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation and first met in Male in 1990. The Framework Agreement for Cooperation, signed in November 2011, mandated the Joint Commission to broaden its cross sectoral emphasise to include defence and security related issues.

2.​   During her visit to Maldives, EAM called on the President of the Republic of Maldives, H.E. Mr. Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.  Discussions with the President of Maldives were reflective of the privileged relationship between India and Maldives.  EAM emphasised the Government of India policy of ‘Neighbours First’. President Yameen underscored the need to cement India-Maldives relations further. President Yameen and EAM exchanged views on a qualitative enhancement in the multifaceted relationship between India and Maldives and in addressing the common challenges in the Indian Ocean Region. President Yameen conveyed that Maldives would hold an Investment Forum in India in 2016, which is also the 'Visit Maldives' year. He reiterated Maldives' policy of 'India First'.

3.​   Subsequent to the Joint Commission, EAM had meetings with Minister of Economic Development Mr. Mohamed Saeed and Minister of Health Ms. Irthisham Adam. During her visit, EAM also had an interaction with the Indian community in Maldives at the India-Maldives Friendship Faculty for Hospitality and Tourism Studies.

4.​   In their discussions during the Joint Commission meeting, EAM and Maldivian Foreign Minister H.E. Mrs. Dunya Maumoon reviewed the entire gamut of the relationship. These discussions held special significance not only because the Joint Commission was meeting after a gap of 15 years but also because the meeting took place in the year of the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Maldives.  Two MoUs - MoU between the Foreign Service Institutes of India and Maldives and the MoU on Youth Affairs and Sports – were signed on the sidelines of the Joint Commission.

Male
October 11, 2015

High Commission of India Male, Maldives