Maldives welcomes India’s “Neighborhood First Policy”

Maldives has welcome India’s “Neighborhood First Policy” and remains committed to its “India First Policy”.Maldives foreign minister Abdulla Shahid on Saturday during a meeting with his Indian counterpart Dr S Jaishanker, said that  India-Maldives relations have “stood the test of time, and one that will continue to flourish.” “I thank India for the assistance it has provided throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. We remain grateful that we can always rely on #India during times of need. Both our countries have experienced the hardships and tragedies of the pandemic, but we are emerging stronger together,” the Maldives foreign minister tweeted.

Speaking at a joint press conference along with Shahid, Dr. Jaishankar said, our time-tested relationship is poised for a quantum jump to touch the lives of the people of the two countries like never before. Dr. Jaishankar said, we are partners in development, we are promoting peace and security, and our relationship, in many ways, serves as a model for the region. He further said, this is a partnership that tackles common challenges of regional development, which addresses disruptions and disasters. It is a partnership that is a force for stability in the region and, it is our shared responsibility to nurture, to strengthen it and to take it forward, he added. The External Affairs Minister said, India Maldives special partnership is poised to deepen further. Jaishankar is in the Maldives for a two-day visit after he got an invite from his Maldivian counterpart.