The President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives, Abdulla Shahid, on Monday highlighted the blossoming partnership between India and the Maldives amid the signing of many important agreements and exchanges between peoples and hailed the long-standing relationship. between the two nations as “exceptional”. To strengthen ties between India and the UN, Shahid, who landed in Delhi on Sunday August 28, met and spoke with members of the UN Country Team during his visit.
The Foreign Minister of the Maldives, who was in India for two days (August 28-29), said in an exclusive interview with ANI: “The number of projects underway, agreements signed and people-to-people relationships the exchanges over the past few years have been exceptional and that is how I would describe the relationship between the Maldives and India.
Shahid further said that the relationship between the Maldives and India is at its best moment in the history of their bilateral relations. He recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had traveled to the Maldives to attend the swearing-in ceremony of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. Later, the President of the Maldives paid a visit to Delhi.
In addition to this, FM Abdulla Shahid pointed out that the Maldives has so far been able to repay all its debts, despite the outbreak of COVID-19 and with the G-Debt Service Suspension Initiative. 20 (ISSD). He added, “Many countries have been able to go through this and I hope we survive,” ANI reported. The DSSI, which was established in May 2020, has helped nations focus their efforts on containing the coronavirus outbreak and defending the lives and livelihoods of millions of the most vulnerable individuals.
India is the pharmacist of the world: FM Abdulla Shahid
Moreover, UNGA President Shahid affirmed that the world must unite against terrorism. “When it comes to terrorism, we have to agree that terrorism has no religion, no creed, and it’s pure evil, that’s what it’s all about. The world should be able to unite against this diabolical scourge,” he said.
He even called India the “pharmacy” of the globe and claimed that New Delhi has extended its human face of compassion not only to its immediate neighbors but even as far as Latin America and the Pacific. He said, “India is the pharmacist of the world and has reached out to several countries.
Stressing the need for reforms in UN governance, Abdulla Shahid said on Monday that the Security Council should take into account current global geopolitics.
Meanwhile, Indian Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Sunday noted the forceful leadership of the President of the United Nations General Assembly and FM of the Maldives, Abdulla Shahid, and hailed his efforts to revive the UN. He also remarked that his visit to India will further strengthen the far-reaching ties with the Maldives.
Pleased to welcome the President of the United Nations General Assembly and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives, HE Abdulla Shahid to India.
His dynamic leadership of the 76th UNGA and the priorities of his presidency, particularly on the revitalization of the UN, have universal appeal. @abdulla_shahid @UN_PGA @UN @MoFAmv pic.twitter.com/0kIycotDkL— Vice President of India (@VPSecretariat) August 28, 2022
Jaishankar discusses the ongoing session of the 76th UNGA with Abdulla Shahid
Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar discussed the ongoing session of the 76th UN General Assembly with Abdulla Shahid. They also exchanged views on how to further deepen bilateral relations between the two nations.
“Glad to meet Maldives FM and UNGA President @abdulla_shahid. Congratulated him on the achievements of his chairmanship of the UNGA. Working together to advance our special relationship. Neighborhood policies first of India and India first Maldives complement each other,” Jaishankar tweeted.
(Image: AP/ANI)