Maldives Foreign Minister Mohamed Asim on Tuesday apprised External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj of the developments in his country. Asim's visit to India comes ahead of the crucial meeting of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) in New York next month.
This is Asim's first official overseas visit after becoming the new FM last month. Asim communicated details of his country's engagement with the United Nations and the Special Envoy of the Commonwealth. The New York meeting in September assumes significance given that CMAG had expressed concern over the prevailing political situation in Maldives in its April meeting and sought urgent measures in various areas, including detention of political leaders.
India is also part of the group and though critical initially, New Delhi is later understood to have made efforts to "tone-down" the severity of the statement. However, the United Kingdom has indicated that if the Group finds that "sufficient steps" for reform have not been taken by Maldives by September, it will "carefully consider appropriate bilateral action" to help support reform efforts there.
While Asim emphasised that his visit was in line with the "India first" policy of Maldives, Swaraj acknowledged the priority given by the Minister to his meeting with her. The two Ministers reaffirmed their resolve to continue strengthening the bilateral partnership between India and Maldives.
The two FMs discussed strategic perspectives for maintaining peace and security in the Indian Ocean region amidst China's efforts to increase its footprint even as Maldivian Foreign Minister Mohamed Asim briefed the Indian side of the recent developments in his country. Asim also apprised Swaraj of the preparations for the Maldives Investment Forum to be held in New Delhi later this year.
On her part, Swaraj reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's view that India wants all its neighbours to benefit from the country's economic growth and development.
"The Ministers also exchanged views on the consonance in the strategic perspectives of the two countries to maintain peace and security in the Indian Ocean region," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.