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Indian Express
7 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Maldives backs India's fight against terror as two sides explore ways to boost strategic ties
India and Maldives on Monday explored ways to boost trade and strategic cooperation even as Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel backed New Delhi's fight against terrorism. Khaleel, accompanied by a high-level delegation, is on a three-day visit to India to review the implementation of the comprehensive economic and maritime security partnership agreed during Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu's trip to New Delhi last October. The Maldivian Foreign Minister led his country's delegation at a meeting of the High Level Core Group (HLCG) that was tasked to oversee progress in the implementation of the India-Maldives vision document on comprehensive economic and maritime security partnership. The discussions at the core group meeting focused on ways to intensify political exchanges, defence and security cooperation, development partnership, trade, economy, health and people-to-people linkages, the Ministry of External Affairs said. Khaleel 'strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam' on April 22 and expressed the Maldives' 'solidarity with the people and government of India and its firm support to India in the fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,' the MEA said. Khaleel also held a meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. 'Welcome Maldives' support and solidarity in combating terrorism. India remains committed to Maldives' progress and development,' Jaishankar said in a social media post. The MEA said Khaleel also thanked the Government of India for 'the timely emergency financial assistance extended to Maldives, which has made a positive impact on the everyday life of Maldivians.'


India Gazette
7 days ago
- Business
- India Gazette
India, Maldives hold High-Level Core Group Meeting; discuss implementation of joint vision document
New Delhi [India], May 26 (ANI): India and the Maldives on Monday held a High-Level Core Group (HLCG) meeting to oversee progress in implementing the India-Maldives Vision Document on Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership. 'Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel led the Maldives delegation in the meeting. During the meeting, the discussions focused on implementation of the Joint Vision by intensifying political exchanges, defence and security cooperation, development partnership, trade, economy, health and people-to-people linkages,' the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a release. Khaleel condemned the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam and expressed solidarity with the people and government of India. He thanked Indian government for the timely emergency financial assistance extended to Maldives. The MEA stated, 'Foreign Minister Dr. Khaleel strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam in April 2025. He expressed Maldives' solidarity with the people and Government of India and its firm support to India in the fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Foreign Minister Dr. Khaleel also thanked Government of India for the timely emergency financial assistance extended to Maldives, which has made a positive impact on the everyday life of Maldivians.' During his visit to India, Khaleel held a bilateral meeting with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar. During the meeting, the two sides discussed issues of mutual interest. The two nations decided that the 3rd HLCG meeting will be held in Male, Maldives on mutually convenient dates. MEA called Maldives India's 'key maritime neighbour' and an important partner in India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy and Vision MAHASAGAR. In a press release, MEA stated, 'Maldives is India's key maritime neighbour and an important partner in India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy and Vision MAHASAGAR, i.e., Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions. The visit has strengthened the Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership between the two countries.' Abdulla Khaleel arrived in New Delhi on Sunday for a three-day visit to India. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal extended a warm welcome to Khaleel. In a post on X, Jaiswal stated, 'Implementing the India - Maldives Joint Vision of a 'Comprehensive Economic & Maritime Security Partnership'. Warm welcome to FM @abkhaleel of Maldives to India. FM Dr. Khaleel will lead the Maldivian delegation at the 2nd High Level Core Group (HLCG) meeting which oversees implementation of the Joint Vision.' (ANI)


New Indian Express
7 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Maldives backs India's fight against terror as both sides strengthen ties
NEW DELHI: Backing India in its fight against terrorism, Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel on Monday 'strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam' on April 22 and reaffirmed his country's 'firm support to India in the fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.' Khaleel, on a three-day visit to India, conveyed his country's solidarity during talks with Indian officials aimed at advancing bilateral ties. Accompanied by a high-level delegation, the Maldivian minister co-chaired a meeting of the High-Level Core Group (HLCG), tasked with reviewing the implementation of the India-Maldives Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership. This partnership was formalised during Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu's visit to New Delhi in October 2024, signalling a positive shift in relations after a period of diplomatic strain. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said discussions at the HLCG meeting covered a broad range of areas, including political engagement, defence and maritime security, development cooperation, trade, economy, healthcare, and people-to-people ties. Khaleel also held separate talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who expressed appreciation for Malé's support. 'Welcome Maldives' support and solidarity in combatting terrorism. India remains committed to Maldives' progress and development,' Jaishankar said in a social media post following the meeting. In a statement, the MEA said Khaleel thanked India for timely emergency financial assistance, saying it had made a 'positive impact on the everyday life of Maldivians.' The statement added, 'Maldives is India's key maritime neighbour and an important partner in India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy and Vision MAHASAGAR—Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.' The visit marks another step in easing tensions that arose after President Muizzu, seen as leaning towards China, took office in November 2023 and demanded the withdrawal of Indian military personnel. That issue was resolved with the replacement of troops by civilian personnel. The MEA stated Khaleel's visit had further 'strengthened the Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership between the two countries.'


Time of India
7 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
India, Maldives explore ways to boost strategic ties
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel India and Maldives on Monday explored ways to boost trade and strategic cooperation even as Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel backed New Delhi's fight against terrorism. Khaleel, accompanied by a high-level delegation, is on a three-day visit to India to review the implementation of the comprehensive economic and maritime security partnership that was agreed during Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu's trip to New Delhi last Maldivian foreign minister led his country's delegation at a meeting of the High Level Core Group (HLCG) that was tasked to oversee progress in the implementation of the India-Maldives vision document on comprehensive economic and maritime security discussions at the core group meeting focused on ways to intensify political exchanges, defence and security cooperation, development partnership, trade, economy, health and people-to-people linkages, the external affairs ministry "strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam" on April 22 and expressed the Maldives' "solidarity with the people and government of India and its firm support to India in the fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations", the ministry also held a meeting with external affairs minister S Jaishankar."Welcome Maldives' support and solidarity in combatting terrorism. India remains committed to Maldives' progress and development," Jaishankar said in a social media a statement, the ministry of external affairs said Khaleel "expressed Maldives' solidarity with the people and government of India and its firm support to India in the fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations"."Foreign Minister Khaleel also thanked the government of India for the timely emergency financial assistance extended to Maldives, which has made a positive impact on the everyday life of Maldivians," it said."Maldives is India's key maritime neighbour and an important partner in India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy and Vision MAHASAGAR that is Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions," it added."The visit has strengthened the Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership between the two countries," the ministry ties between India and the Maldives came under severe strain after Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, took charge of the top office in November hours of his oath, he had demanded the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from his country. Subsequently, the Indian military personnel were replaced by was a thaw in the relations as Muizzu vowed to boost the bilateral ties with India during his visit to Delhi in October.


The Hindu
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Maldives extends ‘firm support' to India in fight against terrorism
The Foreign Minister of Maldives Abdulla Khaleel expressed 'firm support' to India in the backdrop of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 dead and dozens injured. The discussion in this regard was part of the High Level Core Group (HLCG) meeting that took place here on Monday (May 26, 2025). 'Foreign Minister Dr. Khaleel strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam in April 2025. He expressed Maldives' solidarity with the people and Government of India and its firm support to India in the fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,' said the Ministry of External Affairs in a statement after the meeting. Mr. Khaleel conveyed appreciation from Maldives for the recent grant of emergency financial assistance by India. He held a bilateral meeting with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. 'Welcome Maldives' support and solidarity in combating terrorism. India remains committed to Maldives' progress and development,' said Mr Jaishankar after the meeting. 'We reviewed our ongoing political and development cooperation and explored ways for early implementation of the Vision Document set forth by the two leaders of Maldives and India for strengthening Maldives-India relations,' said Mr. Khaleel after the meeting. The Vision Document was launched October 7, 2024, during the India visit by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu. The HLCG is a mechanism at the level of the Joint Secretaries. But for a change, Mr. Khaleel led the Maldivian delegation at the talks. The Indian delegation was headed by Puneet Agrawal, Additional Secretary, Indian Ocean Region Division.