Won’t risk Indian security: Male

New Delhi, India and Maldives today held significant high-level talks in a bid to arrest the recent downslide in relations. Special envoy of President Yameen and Foreign Minister Mohamed Asim held nearly hour-long talks with counterpart Sushma Swaraj in Delhi. Broad gamut of bilateral and multilateral aspects of ties figured in discussions.
In an official statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said: “Discussions centred on strengthening of the development partnership between India and Maldives and enhancing defence and security cooperation. The External Affairs Minister conveyed our commitment to achieving the full potential of our relationship in line with India’s neighbourhood first policy.”
In the last few months both sides have seen sharp comments against each other’s leaders in respective national media with ties worsening after Yameen overnight ratified a Free Trade Agreement with China.
Official sources said in today’s deliberations Asim assured that Maldives would not jeopardise Indian national security concerns and would keep in mind Indian sensitivities in its national policy formulation. Maldives also expressed intent to expedite pending development projects entered into agreement with India.
Later, the special envoy was received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They discussed the ties between the two neighbours, including maritime interests in the Indian Ocean. “The PM affirmed that India would always be a reliable and close neighbour of Maldives supporting it in its progress and security,” said an official release.
Conveying President Yameen’s greetings, the special envoy reiterated the invitation to Modi to visit Maldives. Modi who has visited the entire neighbourhood, including Pakistan, postponed his expected Maldives visit in 2015 following arrest of former President Nasheed and internal turmoil in the nation.