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Indian, Maldives FMs discuss strengthening bilateral ties

Xinhua, February 16, 2015 Adjust font size:

Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met visiting Maldivian counterpart Dunya Maumoon here on Sunday, during which they discussed ways to strengthen bilateral ties, a ministry official said on Monday.

"India-Maldives aim to boost ties. Minister Sushma Swaraj meets counterpart Dunya Maumoon in Delhi," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbarudin said.

Maritime neighbors India-Maldives are to strengthen ties as they commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in November this year, he added.

India was one of the few countries to recognize Maldives after its independence in 1965 and subsequently set up diplomatic relations.

"As close and friendly neighbors, India and Maldives share ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious and commercial links steeped in antiquity and enjoy cordial and multi-dimensional relations," said an Indian foreign ministry source.

The bilateral relations between India and Maldives have been strengthened by regular contacts at all levels, including a regular exchange of high-level ministerial visits.

India and Maldives have consistently supported each other in multilateral fora such as the United Nations, the Commonwealth, the Non-Aligned Movement and the South Asian Association for Regional cooperation.

The Maldivian Foreign Ministry has said that the ministers held very "constructive" discussions.

Indian Prime Minister Nahendra Modi has accepted the invitation extended to him by Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom to pay an official visit to the country, which he is expected to honor very soon, according to media reports.

The Maldivian foreign minister's visit is the first ever since the Modi-led government came to power in May last year.

In November last year, Swaraj visited Male where she met Maumoon fro boosting trade ties.

India has helped the island nation set up several leading institutions in the field of medicine, tourism and technology. India-Maldives trade in 2013-14 stood at 7 billion rupees (110 million U.S. dollars). Endi