His Royal Highness Prince Dr Mansour bin Mutaib bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Minister of State, and Cabinet Member of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, paid a courtesy call on President Dr Mohamed Muizzu at the President’s Office on Saturday, reaffirming the close and longstanding relationship between the Maldives and Saudi Arabia.
Prince Mansour, who was accorded a ceremonial welcome upon his arrival in Malé, is visiting the Maldives as the Guest of Honour for the country’s 61st Independence Day celebrations. He is representing Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at the invitation of President Muizzu.
During the meeting, President Muizzu thanked the Saudi leadership for accepting the invitation to participate in the Independence Day celebrations and expressed appreciation for the Kingdom’s continued support to the Maldives.
The President also highlighted the benefits of Saudi Arabia’s Makkah Route Initiative, noting that the programme has significantly eased travel procedures for Maldivian pilgrims undertaking Hajj.
Prince Mansour reaffirmed the importance Saudi Arabia places on the Maldives’ development and the wellbeing of its people, underscoring the Kingdom’s commitment to maintaining strong bilateral relations.
The leaders discussed ways to further strengthen the longstanding brotherly partnership between the two countries, built on shared Islamic values, mutual respect, and close cooperation. They also explored opportunities to expand collaboration in trade, investment, and other areas of mutual interest.
The Maldives and Saudi Arabia have enjoyed diplomatic relations since 1981 and maintain close cooperation across sectors including infrastructure development, economic assistance, tourism, Islamic affairs, and Hajj services. Saudi Arabia has also supported several major development projects in the Maldives through the Saudi Fund for Development, further reinforcing the partnership between the two nations.
