Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
NEW YORK, 19th Jan. India External Affairs minister Jaishankar on Thursday said, he had a frank conversion with Moosa Zameer on bilateral relations between India and Maldives in Kampala on the sidelines of the NAM Summit 2024.
“Met Maldives FM Moosa Zameer today in Kampala. A frank conversation on India-Maldives ties. Also discussed NAM-related issues,” Jaishankar posted on ‘X’.
Zameer posted about the meeting and said that they exchanged views on the ongoing high-level discussions on withdrawal of Indian troops from Maldives.
“We exchanged views on the ongoing high-level discussions on the withdrawal of Indian military personnel, as well as expediting the completion of ongoing development projects in the Maldives, and cooperation within SAARC and NAM. We are committed to further strengthening and expanding our cooperation,” Zameer said.
The ties between the two historically neighbors began deteriorating soon after pro-China Mohamed Muizzu’s election as Maldives President took a hit after several Maldivian ministers used derogatory language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the latter’s Lakshadweep visit.
India raised strong protest and summoned Maldivian envoy to the office of foreign ministry in Delhi.
Opposition leaders, the Maldivian government suspended three ministers and clarified the remarks were made by them in their personal capacity.
The Maldivian government clarified that the remarks made against “foreign leaders” didn’t reflect the views of Male.
