The newly appointed Indian High Commissioner to the Maldives, Gopal Balasubramanian, met with Maldivian Foreign Minister Dr. Abdulla Khaleel on Monday to discuss enhancing the strong ties between Malé and New Delhi. The courtesy visit took place at the Foreign Ministry headquarters in the capital.
During the meeting, Minister Khaleel extended his congratulations to High Commissioner Balasubramanian on his recent appointment and shared views on maintaining the positive trajectory of the Maldives-India partnership. Both leaders explored new avenues for cooperation to further bolster relations between the two nations.
Minister Khaleel expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Indian government and people for their steadfast support to the Maldives over the years, citing the enduring friendship and collaboration between the two countries. High Commissioner Balasubramanian, in turn, thanked Khaleel for the warm reception and reiterated his commitment to strengthening the close ties during his tenure.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from both sides. Accompanying Minister Khaleel were Foreign Secretary Fathmath Inaya, Ambassador at Large Mohamed Fahmy Hassan, Joint Secretary Dr. Ibrahim Zuhuree, and Directors Ahmed Suzil and Aishath Shahula. High Commissioner Balasubramanian was joined by Deputy High Commissioner Kumar Gaurav.
Balasubramanian officially assumed his role after presenting his credentials to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on January 6. His predecessor, Munu Mahawar, served as India’s High Commissioner to the Maldives since November 2021.
The discussions underscore the commitment of both nations to sustaining and enhancing their robust bilateral relationship, which encompasses collaboration in areas such as trade, development, and regional security. Both leaders emphasized the importance of continuing this cooperation to achieve shared goals and mutual prosperity.
