During his official visit to India, Maldives Foreign Minister Dr. Abdulla Khaleel highlighted the country’s priority of maintaining strong relations with India, while also emphasizing its commitment to fostering friendly ties with all nations.
In an interview with Wion News, Khaleel was asked about the growing relationship between the Maldives and China, and its potential impact on the Maldives’ ties with India. The Minister responded by stressing that in a world with differing global alignments, it is most beneficial for the Maldives to maintain close, positive relations with multiple countries.
He emphasized the historical and ongoing collaboration between the Maldives and India in areas such as trade, development, and social progress. “Therefore, the Maldives will always prioritize its relations with India,” Khaleel affirmed, adding that the ties with India will not be weakened by relationships with other countries.
Khaleel further acknowledged India’s role as the Maldives’ key neighbor and first responder in times of need, underlining the importance of this partnership for both nations. “We consider India’s security as our security,” he said, reaffirming the Maldives’ dedication to the stability and security of the Indian Ocean region.
Addressing the ‘India Out’ campaign, led by former President Abdulla Yameen, Khaleel clarified that the current government opposes the campaign. Although some individuals within the government have expressed differing views, the Minister emphasized that these statements do not represent the government’s official stance, and that President Ibrahim Solih has taken action to address them.
This visit marked Khaleel’s first official trip to India since taking office in September 2023.
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