External Affairs Minister Jaishankar stated,
“India will continue to be a steadfast supporter of Maldives’ progress and prosperity, in line with our Neighbourhood First policy and vision SAGAR.”
India has always supported the island nation, which recognized its neighbor as its “First Responder,” External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s pledge to assist the Maldives.
Jaishankar said
“For us, you are a very concrete expression of our Neighbourhood First policy,” on Friday during a bilateral meeting with Abdulla Khaleel. the Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Jaishankar also brought up the Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security partnership that was established during Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu’s October visit to India last year. He also added, “Today’s visit allows us to take stock of the progress since then,”.
From January 2–4, 2025, Maldivian Minister Abdulla Khaleel will be in India on a formal visit. Jaishankar reiterated at the meeting the value India places on its bilateral relations with the Maldives and promised to continue supporting the country under Vision SAGAR, or Security and Growth for All in the Region, and India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy.
India signed agreements on implementing the next phase of High Impact Community Development Projects, which aim to boost the Maldives’ progress and deepen ties between the two nations, during his meeting with Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel, Jaishankar wrote in a post on X.
“Discussed our development cooperation and economic, security, fintech and people-to-people ties. Also signed agreement on implementing the next phase of High Impact Community Development Projects #HICDP in Maldives,”.
He also wrote,
“India will continue to be a steadfast supporter of Maldives’ progress and prosperity, in line with our Neighbourhood First policy and vision SAGAR.”
India’s Neighborhood First policy directs its strategy for managing ties with nations in its immediate neighborhood by boosting trade and commerce and improving regional connectivity on a physical, digital, and interpersonal level.