Vice President: India an important development partner

He made the statement in his speech as guest of honor at a reception hosted by the Indian High Commission at Hotel Jen on Sunday night to commemorate India’s 75th Independence Day. 

In his speech, Faisal extended warm greetings on the occasion of India’s Independence Day to Indian President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian people. 

He described the decades leading up to India attaining its independence, in 1947, as a long and grueling struggle overcome by the invaluable efforts and sacrifices of great leaders who fought for freedom. He said that India’s journey to become a leading sovereign nation since then was an inspiration to the entire world. 

Faisal noted India had been one of the first countries to recognize Maldives as a sovereign state when it gained its independence from the protectorate status under the British in 1965. 

“In the long history of our relations, India has always extended assistance whenever we were in need,” he said. 

Faisal highlighted on India’s assistant towards the development of the social sector, especially the high impact community development projects under India’s assistance. He said the projects strengthened Maldivian government’s decentralization efforts to bring nationwide development.  

He also recognized India's support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, including assisting in the evacuation of Maldivians in Wuhan, donating essential medicines and essential food items and granting 200,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine, as the first recipients outside India.  

He thanked the Indian government for its generous assistance to Maldives during such challenging times. 

Concluding his speech, Faisal reaffirmed Maldives’ commitment to enhancing its partnership with India, and said Maldives will continue to uphold the close friendship between the two nations.