"In keeping with our Neighbourhood First policy and vision SAGAR, India will remain a resolute supporter of the Maldives' progress and prosperity," stated External Affairs Minister Jaishankar.
India has always supported the Maldives, said External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday. "For us, you are a very concrete expression of our Neighbourhood First policy," Jaishankar stated during a one-on-one meeting with Maldivian Foreign Affairs Minister Abdulla Khaleel.
Jaishankar also brought up the Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security partnership that was established during Maldives President Muizzu's October visit to India last year. "Today's visit allows us to take stock of the progress since then," he stated.
From January 2–4, 2025, Maldivian Minister Abdulla Khaleel visited India on important business. Jaishankar promised to continue supporting the Maldives under India's "Neighbourhood First" policy at the meeting and reiterated the significance of India's bilateral ties with the Maldives.
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.
talked about our people-to-people, economic, security, and fintech relationships as well as our development cooperation. Jaishankar wrote on X, "I also signed an agreement to implement the next phase of High Impact Community Development Projects #HICDP in Maldives."
In keeping with our Neighbourhood First strategy and vision SAGAR, he added, "India will continue to be a steadfast supporter of Maldives' progress and prosperity."
India's Neibourhood 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.
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka are among the nations.
A free, open, inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region based on a rules-based international order is the goal of the Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) initiative, which was initially proposed in 2015. India is contributing to disaster management, capacity building, connectivity, and other areas under it.
"This exchange of Memorandums of Understanding reflects India's strengthening relations with the Maldives." Jaishankar also confirmed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Maldives' Ministry of Economic Development and Trade and the National Payments Corporation of India regarding the introduction of a digital payment system in the Maldives.
The "first responder" is India.
Maldives Minister Abdullah Khaleel said he was determined to fortify the alliance and thanked India for its "unwavering" support of the Maldives.
As the Maldives' "First Responder," the MEA noted in a news release, "Foreign Minister Dr. Khaleel, on his part, appreciated the timely emergency financial assistance extended by India to Maldives in times of need."
"We reviewed the progress of our bilateral cooperation and reaffirmed our strong commitment to enhancing engagements across key sectors," Khaleel said on X in the meanwhile. I expressed our gratitude for India's steadfast aid and support to the Maldives over the course of our lengthy partnership. For the sake of our peoples' well-being and prosperity, we are committed to fortifying our cooperation, which is founded on respect and trust.
Khaleel's three-day official tour to India began Thursday when he landed in Delhi. He is in India for the first time on official business.