External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Maldives Foreign minister Abdulla Khaleel are going to review the implementation of the comprehensive economic and maritime security partnership on Monday, the Ministry of External Affairs said. Foreign Minister Khaleel, accompanied by a high-level delegation, arrived in Delhi Sunday on a three-day visit. It is his third trip to India this year. “Warm welcome to FM @abkhaleel of Maldives to India,” the MEA spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, posted on social media. Khaleel’s visit is in continuation of “intensified high-level political exchanges” between India and Maldives, the MEA said. It said Khaleel will lead the Maldives at the second High Level Core Group (HLCG) meeting to oversee progress in the implementation of the India-Maldives vision document on comprehensive economic and maritime security partnership. The vision document was adopted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu in October last year. The Maldivian minister will also hold bilateral discussions with EAM S Jaishankar, the ministry said. “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),” it said. The ties between India and the Maldives came under severe strain after Muizzu took charge of the top office in November 2023. Within hours of his oath, he had demanded the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from his country. Subsequently, the Indian military personnel were replaced by civilians. The ties between the two countries came under severe strain after Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, took charge of the top office in November 2023. Within hours of his oath, he had demanded the withdrawal of the Indian military from his country. Subsequently, the Indian military personnel were replaced by civilians. There was a thaw in the relations as Muizzu vowed to boost the bilateral ties with India during his Delhi visit in October.
