The Maldives’ Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Abdulla Khaleel, wrapped up his official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Sunday, further solidifying the deep-rooted fraternal ties between the two nations. Invited by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, the visit underscored the longstanding partnership and mutual commitment to enhancing diplomatic and economic cooperation.
During his trip, Dr. Khaleel engaged in a series of high-level discussions with his Saudi counterpart. The talks focused on bolstering the enduring friendship between the Maldives and Saudi Arabia, as well as identifying new avenues for collaboration in various sectors. The Minister provided a comprehensive update on the Maldives’ economic priorities, detailing efforts to diversify the economy and promote stability and growth in key areas such as tourism, infrastructure, and renewable energy.
In addition to formal meetings, Dr. Khaleel took the opportunity to connect with the Maldivian community residing in Riyadh and with students in Medina. His interactions with these groups were aimed at gauging their well-being and reinforcing the support network for Maldivians living and traveling in Saudi Arabia, particularly during Hajj and Umrah.
Further cementing the bilateral relationship, the Minister visited both the Maldives Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah. He emphasized the importance of close cooperation between these diplomatic missions in safeguarding the interests of Maldivian citizens abroad and in furthering the broader strategic ties between the two countries.
Dr. Khaleel was accompanied on the trip by Dr. Hala Hameed, Secretary, Bilateral, and Khadeeja Najeeha, Joint Secretary, whose presence underscored the importance of a united front in advancing the Maldives’ foreign policy objectives.
The successful conclusion of the visit marks another step forward in a collaborative journey between the Maldives and Saudi Arabia, with both sides eager to explore new opportunities for mutual growth and sustainable development.
