The Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of India, H.E. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, on Wednesday, paid a courtesy call on H.E. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. The meeting was held at the VVIP lounge at the Hanimaadhooo International Airport.

Speaking with Dr Jaishankar, President Solih expressed his appreciation to the minister for attending the groundbreaking ceremony of the Hanimaadhoo International Airport expansion project. He added that the project would transform the economic landscape of the country and the northern region into an economic hub.

The President also expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister of India, H.E. Narendra Modi, the government of India and its friendly people for the continued assistance to the Maldives.

President Solih and Dr Jaishankar discussed strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. They emphasised their commitment to enhancing cooperation in areas of mutual interest, such as tourism cooperation, business-to-business cooperation focusing on small and medium-sized enterprises and other areas of bilateral, regional and multilateral cooperation. The President also noted the financial and budgetary support provided to the Maldives by the government of India.

The President highlighted that the Maldives-India friendship is rooted in cultural and historical links and shared values. He added that the Maldives had gained immense benefits under India’s “Neighbourhood First Policy” and assured Maldives’ continued commitment to upholding its India First Policy.

In conclusion, President Solih and Dr Jaishankar reaffirmed their continued commitment to strengthening Maldives-India cooperation in the coming years. The Maldives and India established diplomatic relations on November 1, 1965.

Source(s): President Office

For the first time in more than two years, an ocean liner has been berthed in Australia’s Sydney Harbour as the multi-billion-dollar cruise industry resumes business in Australia’s state of New South Wales (NSW).

Cruise liner Pacific Explorer docks at Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, Australia, on April 18, 2022. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)

Cruise liner Pacific Explorer docks at Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, Australia, on April 18, 2022. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)

Cruise liner Pacific Explorer docks at Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, Australia, on April 18, 2022. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)

Cruise liner Pacific Explorer docks at Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, Australia, on April 18, 2022. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)

Cruise liner Pacific Explorer docks at Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, Australia, on April 18, 2022. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei) ■

The Olympic flame has been extinguished, bringing down the curtain on the Beijing 2022 Winter Games, but the passion still lingers from the sports gala that has enlivened and inspired the world amid the pandemic.

Beijing 2022 has been a journey about both physical and human infrastructure: encompassing green construction and reuse of venues, and massive investment to fuel domestic participation in winter sports.

Here are some memorable moments from the closing ceremony.