"Maldives very fortunate to have India as a neighbor, closest bilateral partner"

Vice President Faisal Naseem has said that Maldives is "very fortunate" to have India as a neighbor and closest bilateral partner.

The vice president made the statement while speaking at the special reception held by the High Commission of India to commemorate country's 75th Independence Day, on Sunday.

He stated that 75 years ago, India gained independence after being colonized for over two centuries and recognized the sacrifices of great leaders who fought for the freedom of the country during decades of “long and grueling struggle”. He pointed out the unceasing hard work of one of the greatest leaders the 20th century has seen, Mahatma Gandhi, who in addition to leading India towards its independence, left a mark on the world.

The VP also India was among one of the first countries to recognize the Maldives as a sovereign state after attaining independence from the protectorate status under the British in 1965.

Noting that India's journey from a colonial country to a leading sovereign nation is enormous and "an inspiration not only to its neighbors but to the whole world", Naseem stressed that Maldives "is indeed very fortunate to have India as our neighbor and as our closest bilateral partner".

He noted that the relations between both nations have been "especially remarkable" for the last three years under President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's India-Maldives policy, noting that the frequency of high-level visits has increased prominently as well as that development cooperation has broadened in numerous areas during this time.

The vice president further stated that the assistance provided by India in developing the social sector of the Maldives, especially through the High Impact Community Development Projects has strengthened the Government’s decentralization efforts. He expressed confidence that these projects will “pave the way for the empowerment of local communities and improve the quality of their livelihoods”.

Furthermore, Faisal thanked India for the assistance they provided over the course of the pandemic. This includes evacuation of nationals in Wuhan, donating essential medicines and food items and granting 200,000 doses of the covid-19 vaccines.

In concluding his speech, Faisal addressed the unique relationship between the two countries, bound by tradition, history and values.