Sushma meets Maldives Home Minister, discusses bilateral issues

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday held talks with Maldives Home Minister Imran Abdulla and discussed ways to boost bilateral ties.

"Close bonds of friendship. Good meeting between EAM Sushma Swaraj and Maldives Minister of Home Affairs Imran Abdullla on the second day of her visit to Maldives. Discussed steps to continue the upward trajectory in our bilateral relationship," MEA spokesman Raveesh Kumar tweeted.

Swaraj, who arrived here on Sunday on a two-day visit, called on the Speaker of the Parliament of Maldives, the People's Majlis, Qasim Ibrahim.

Swaraj reiterated India's commitment to supporting the country in its path of peace, development, prosperity and democracy.

She also unveiled a plaque dedicating the renovated Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital to the people of Maldives in the city of Male.

The hospital is the first and largest government healthcare facility in the Maldives, built with Indian assistance.

External Affairs Minister and Maldivian Foreign Minister Shahid reviewed progress on important bilateral issues, including implementation of agreed outcomes of President Ibrahim Solih's visit to India last year, MEA spokesman Raveesh Kumar said.

Both sides agreed on a broad spectrum of issues for further collaboration, including development cooperation and enhancing people-to-people contact.

Solih visited India in December last year during which India announced a USD 1.4 billion financial assistance to the island nation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited Maldives during the swearing in of the new President Solih after a keenly watched elections.

Swaraj's is the first high-level visit from India to the Maldives since new government assumed office in November last year.

Among others, she is accompanied by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale.