India’s newly appointed High Commissioner to the Maldives, Gopal Balasubramaniam, met with Maldivian Foreign Minister Dr. Abdulla Khaleel on Monday to discuss ways to enhance the longstanding partnership between the two nations.
The courtesy call, held at the Foreign Ministry headquarters in Malé, marked one of Balasubramaniam’s initial engagements following the presentation of his credentials to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu earlier this month.
During their discussions, Minister Khaleel extended congratulations to Balasubramaniam on his appointment and shared insights on maintaining and building upon the positive trajectory of Maldives-India relations. Both sides explored opportunities to deepen cooperation across various sectors, reflecting the close historical and cultural ties between the two countries.
Khaleel took the opportunity to express gratitude to the government and people of India for their unwavering support for the Maldives over the years. He highlighted the tangible benefits of the partnership, which has encompassed assistance in areas such as infrastructure development, healthcare, and disaster relief.
In response, High Commissioner Balasubramaniam conveyed his appreciation for the warm welcome and reaffirmed his commitment to fostering closer collaboration during his tenure. He emphasized the importance of sustaining the momentum in bilateral relations and working closely with Maldivian officials to achieve shared goals.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from both sides. Joining Minister Khaleel were Foreign Secretary Fathmath Inaya, Ambassador at Large Mohamed Fahmy Hassan, Joint Secretary Dr. Ibrahim Zuhuree, and Directors Ahmed Suzil and Aishath Shahula. Representing the Indian side were Deputy High Commissioner Kumar Gaurav and other senior officials.
Balasubramaniam succeeded Munu Mahawar, who served as the Indian High Commissioner to the Maldives since November 2021. He officially assumed his role by presenting his credentials to President Muizzu on January 6.
The Maldives and India share a robust partnership rooted in mutual respect and cooperation. Monday’s meeting underscored the shared determination of both nations to further strengthen these ties for the benefit of their peoples.
