Malé, 29 November 2021 (TDI): A diplomatic exchange took place between Ahmed Khaleel and Tan Yang Thai at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Malé. The former is the State Minister for Foreign Affairs for the Republic of Maldives, while the latter happens to be the High Commissioner of Malaysia to the Maldives. The discourse revolved around Maldives-Malaysia relations.
MALDIVIAN COMMUNITY IN MALAYSIA
During the meeting, State Minister Khaleel expressed a formal appreciation to the Malaysian Government for its warm hospitality towards the Maldivian community residing in Malaysia.
He further highlighted that Maldivian students see Malaysia as a top choice for higher education, due to which it is a popular scholarly destination.
Additionally, he also noted that Malaysia hosts one of the largest Maldivian communities around the globe. This speaks for the close ties between the two countries.
Moreover, consular matters were also discussed by both parties. High Commissioner Yang Thai proposed ways of further simplifying the existing arrangements regarding the Maldivian immigrant community in Malaysia.
This is to make shifting and living in a foreign country easy and accessible for the people of Maldives, as well as exemplify Malaysia’s commitment to hospitality towards the Maldives.
FURTHER BILATERAL COOPERATION
Both sides further talked about strategies to continue enhancing existing friendly bilateral relations between Malaysia and Maldives. In particular, they focused on the aspects of bilateral trade cooperation, education, sports, and economic development cooperation.
In the past, the Maldives has participated in Malaysia’s World Islamic Tourism Mart to develop its tourism industry. Similar avenues of collaboration were discussed, which would strengthen these already established relations.
State Minister Khaleel was accompanied by Javed Faisal, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Additional officials joining him were Executive Director, Fathmath Naeema.
