Pres Muizzu expresses hope for permanent Gaza truce in meeting with top US diplomat

Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has expressed hopes for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza soon, in a meeting with a top American diplomat.

Donald Lu, the US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, paid a courtesy call on President Muizzu at the President's Office on Tuesday morning.

During the call, President Muizzu and Lu discussed further strengthening the warm relations between the Maldives and the US.

The President’s Office said that while discussing international matters of mutual concern, President Muizzu expressed his hope that the Israeli aggression in Gaza would reach a permanent ceasefire soon, noting the upcoming holy month of Ramadan.

He reiterated Maldives’ stand that peace can only be achieved through a two-state solution, with Palestine as an independent State, with East Jerusalem as its capital, within pre-1967 borders.

Meanwhile, Lu expressed the US’ interest in expanding areas of cooperation with the Maldives, including trade and economic development, tourism cooperation, and Indian Ocean security.

President Muizzu expressed his gratitude, and emphasized that under his foreign policy, the Maldives welcomes developmental initiatives that benefit the Maldives, and diversify the economy.

According to the President’s Office, Lu congratulated President Muizzu on winning the presidential election, and the peaceful transition, and commended him on “the notable democratic actions in his first few months in office, which set an example to South Asia and the rest of the world.”

Lu is visiting the Maldives after concluding a trip to India, to attend the India-US Forum in New Delhi.

According to the US State Department, the main focus of the visit is to “build US-Maldives cooperation and to advance the establishment of a permanent US embassy space in Male.”

The delegation will also engage with members of civil society and higher education officials.

Maldives and the US established official diplomatic relations in 1965.