Maldivian embassy in Washington renamed

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, on Thursday, renamed the Maldivian embassy in Washington, United States of America (USA).

Previously named ‘Embassy of the Maldives in Washington’ – the consulate has now been renamed to ‘Embassy of the Republic of Maldives to the United States’.

The President’s Office, in a statement, said that President Solih took the decision under the discretion vested in him by Section 116 (a) of the Maldivian Constitution.

The decision was taken on Sunday, September 25. With this change, the number 488 should be used in all official documents sent to the Embassy of the Republic of Maldives to the United States of America.

Maldivian government had announced plans to establish a Maldivian embassy in Washington during this month.

Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid said the decision was taken in light of the imminent need to establish an embassy at the USA in light of the new height of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

A Maldivian embassy was opened in the USA back in 2007, during former President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom’s administration. However, the embassy closed the following year due to budget constraints. Whilst a Maldivian embassy has been established in the USA, the latter is also working on establishing an embassy in the Maldives.

The decision to open an Embassy of USA in the Maldives was announced during former USA Foreign Minister Mike Pompeo’s visit to the Maldives in 2020.

Maldives and USA established diplomatic relations in 1996.