Maldivian FM: India has been a valuable partner in economic development and recovery

India has been a valuable partner in helping Maldives develop and recover its economy, states Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid.

He made the statement at the India@75 Showcasing India-UN Partnership event held on Saturday, on the sidelines of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly.

Speaking at the event, Shahid said Maldives counts on India’s leadership at the multilateral fora to advance progress in important spheres.

Shahid said India has been a valuable partner in helping meet challenges, from disaster relief, to addressing the pandemic and accessing vaccines, to economic development and recovery.

“We note that even during the most difficult days of the pandemic, despite their own challenges, India made a remarkable effort to help the Maldives and much of the global south,” he said.

Shahid said Maldives is especially appreciative of India’s support in the sphere of climate change, especially in climate adaptation.

Shahid said India is currently supporting the establishment of safe and secure water and sewerage facilities across 34 islands in Maldives.

“This is to counter the climate change-induced water shortages evident across the Maldives every year. These efforts have benefited us immensely at the national level,” he said.

Shahid said Maldives remains inspired by the leaps and bounds made by India in the multilateral sphere over the past seven decades.