Jaishankar pays homage to Maldives national hero Thakururufaanu
Male, January 19: India and Maldives are strong partners and good neighbours said External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday. Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih have jointly participated in the ground-breaking ceremony of the Hanimaadhoo international airport redevelopment project, a "historic milestone" in the robust India-Maldives development partnership.
Jaishankar is on a three-day visit to the Maldives and Sri Lanka to further expand its bilateral engagement with the two key maritime neighbours of India. He further stated that the struggle of the Sultan is a reminder to continue his commitment to the national development.
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"Paid homage to Sultan Mohamed Thakururufaanu, a revered national hero of the Maldives at his Memorial Centre. His struggle is a reminder of a shared history and a continuing commitment to national development," Jaishankar tweeted.
EAM, further emphasized that India's partnership with the Maldives is based on its genuine desire to work together for each other's welfare and interests.
"It is a partnership that has enabled us to swiftly and effectively respond to the challenges, as we saw recently during the Covid pandemic. It is a partnership that has enabled us to deliver results and bring about tangible benefits to our peoples in accordance with their wishes, aspirations and priorities," he said.
We all are aware that the current complex geopolitical environment has thrown up new disruptions which are impacting the world. The need for cooperation and collaboration has assumed even greater importance in this context, he said.
Jaishankar said the initiation of the Hanimaadhoo international airport development project marks a "historic milestone" in the robust India-Maldives development partnership. "Joined President @ibusolih and his ministers and local leaders at the ground-breaking ceremony of Hanimaadhoo International Airport Development Project," he tweeted.
"This project will bridge the gap between the people of Northern Maldives and the rest of the world and bring our peoples together. And India is privileged to be with the Maldives for its implementation," he said at the ceremony attended by a broad spectrum of Members of Parliament and representatives from the Atoll councils in the Maldives.
Jaishankar said better connectivity is a prerequisite for greater prosperity and with this rationale, greater connectivity finds resonance in India's theme for the G20 Presidency 'One Earth, One Family, One Future'.
"It is our endeavour to share India's experiences, learnings and models as possible templates for others, particularly in the developing world and to promote a universal sense of oneness through enhancing connectivity," he said.
Jaishankar later tweeted that the rising number of Indian tourists in the Maldives is a 'reflection of our deepening ties and are outcomes of focus on infrastructure and connectivity, especially under the Modi Government."
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- ANI
