Maldivian Foreign Minister Mohamed Asim, who is on a three-day visit to India, held talks with his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi on Thursday.
Even though the visit comes amidst strained bilateral ties between the two countries, the Ministry of External Affairs said the talks were “positive”.
EAM @SushmaSwaraj met Dr. Mohamed Asim, Foreign Minister and Special Envoy of the President of Maldives. Both had productive discussions to strengthen bilateral relationship keeping in mind ‘India first’ policy of Maldives and our policy of ‘Neighbourhood first’. pic.twitter.com/h44h8xAlFQ
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) January 11, 2018
Of late, India’s bilateral ties with Maldives have been strained over a number of issues, including signing of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Maldives and China.
In the meeting, it is understood that the Maldivian leader reiterated that Maldives would not undertake any activity which would harm Indian interests and it would also be conveyed that the country is “sensitive” to India’s concerns over peace and security in the Indian Ocean region.
Earlier too, India had already made it clear that it expected that as a close and friendly neighbour, the island nation would be sensitive to its concerns in keeping with its ‘India First’ policy.
Asim, who is also Maldivian president Abdulla Yameen’s special envoy, will also call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Asim arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday evening.
(With inputs from agencies)
