External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasised New Delhi’s steadfast support for the island nation, stating, “India has always stood by the Maldives. You are a very concrete expression of our neighbourhood first policy.” The announcement came during Jaishankar’s meeting with Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel in New Delhi.

India and the Maldives have finalised a framework to promote the use of local currencies for cross border trade as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held discussions with his counterpart from the island nation Abdulla Khaleel to improve the relationship.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted the significance of the Maldives in India's neighbourhood first policy and New Delhi's financial aid to the island nation. Bilateral talks focused on economic and maritime security partnerships,