Maldives ‘concrete expression’ of India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy: EAM Jaishankar [Video]

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Friday said that Maldives remains a “concrete expression” of India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and New Delhi has always stood by the Indian Ocean archipelago, especially when it comes to giving financial support during challenging times.

“We have increased our engagements in various sectors, and I want to emphasise that India has always stood by the Maldives. You are a concrete expression of our ‘Neighborhood First’ policy,” said EAM Jaishankar during his meeting with Abdulla Khaleel, the visiting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives at New Delhi’s Hyderabad House on Friday.

Both sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for implementation of High Impact Community Development Projects under Phase-III in Maldives through grant assistance by the Government of India and also took stock of progress made on the understandings reached during the State Visit of Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu in October 2024, following-up on …