News

Pres Muizzu expresses hope for permanent Gaza truce in meeting with top US diplomat

Published

3 months ago

30/01/2024

Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has expressed hopes for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza soon, in a meeting with a top American diplomat.

Donald Lu, the US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, paid a courtesy call on President Muizzu at the President’s Office on Tuesday morning.

During the call, President Muizzu and Lu discussed further strengthening the warm relations between the Maldives and the US.

The President’s Office said that while discussing international matters of mutual concern, President Muizzu expressed his hope that the Israeli aggression in Gaza would reach a permanent ceasefire soon, noting the upcoming holy month of Ramadan.

He reiterated Maldives’ stand that peace can only be achieved through a two-state solution, with Palestine as an independent State, with East Jerusalem as its capital, within pre-1967 borders.

Meanwhile, Lu expressed the US’ interest in expanding areas of cooperation with the Maldives, including trade and economic development, tourism cooperation, and Indian Ocean security.

President Muizzu expressed his gratitude, and emphasized that under his foreign policy, the Maldives welcomes developmental initiatives that benefit the Maldives, and diversify the economy.

According to the President’s Office, Lu congratulated President Muizzu on winning the presidential election, and the peaceful transition, and commended him on “the notable democratic actions in his first few months in office, which set an example to South Asia and the rest of the world.”

Lu is visiting the Maldives after concluding a trip to India, to attend the India-US Forum in New Delhi.

According to the US State Department, the main focus of the visit is to “build US-Maldives cooperation and to advance the establishment of a permanent US embassy space in Male.”

The delegation will also engage with members of civil society and higher education officials.

Maldives and the US established official diplomatic relations in 1965.

Source(s): sun.mv

News

Asia-Pacific Blue Economy Forum comes to Maldives

Published

4 hours ago

12/05/2024

The Asia-Pacific Blue Economy Forum for 2024 has been scheduled to be held in the Maldives.

Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed confirmed the forum will be held in the Maldives, noting it was privilege to become the forum’s host.

Besides this, the minister welcomed the high-level representation from Climate Finance Network (CFN) countries, and added the he was eager to “witness quick translation of forum outcomes into tangible action”.

The Asia-Pacific Blue Economy Forum will be organized and hosted by the ministry in association with the UNDP Maldives, with the support of Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

The forum aims to encourage the sustainability of ocean resources, improvement of economic prowess and employment scope related to the maritime and fisheries sectors.

Source(s): sun.mv

News

Minister confirms redeployment of all Indian militants

Published

20 hours ago

11/05/2024

Minister of Defence Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon has disclosed that the 76 Indian militants stationed in the Maldives have been successfully redeployed. The redeployment of foreign troops from the nation is a commitment of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

The withdrawal of the Indian military troops stationed by May 10 in the Maldives, as per the pledge of President Dr. Muizzu, were officially announced today at a press conference held at the President’s Office. The troops were redeployed in batches, with the first batch redeployed in March. This was followed by the withdrawal of the second batch of militants in April and the last batch on May 10.

Details on the withdrawal of the foreign troops are as follows: In March, a total of 26 soldiers who were stationed in Gan, Addu City were redeployed, with 12 militants redeployed on March 7 and 14 militants on March 9. Meanwhile, 25 military personnel in Hanimaadhoo, Haa Dhaalu Atoll withdrew, with 13 soldiers redeployed on April 7 and 12 on May 9. The troops stationed in Kadhdhoo, Laamu Atoll were redeployed with 12 personnel withdrawing the platforms on May 7 and 13 by May 9.

Speaking at the press conference, Minister Ghassan revealed that the foreign soldiers working at Senahiya Military Hospital are doctors, and there were no plans to redeploy them. The minister assured that these soldiers were not partaking in any military roles.

Source(s): PsmNews

News

Foreign Minister prioritises talks with India to expedite projects

Published

20 hours ago

11/05/2024

Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer has affirmed that significant strides have been made in expediting projects initiated in the Maldives with financial assistance from the Indian Government.

Following his official visit to India at the invitation of Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar, Minister Zameer said that a spectrum of initiatives across the nation has been kickstarted through loans and grants from the Government of India during the previous administration. He emphasised the current government’s commitment to prioritising the resumption and completion of these projects. He also underscored his dedication to this endeavor during his recent visit to India.

Additionally, Minister Zameer disclosed that both ministers engaged in bilateral discussions on May 9 to address pivotal matters aimed at expediting the projects. He underscored the discussions with Minister S. Jaishankar, focusing on the operational dynamics of the committees entrusted with executing these projects.

During the official discussions between the two nations, Minister S. Jaishankar reiterated the significance of India’s ongoing projects in the Maldives.

Source(s): PsmNew