The Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid has stated that the staunch relationship between the Maldives and the United States have grown into a mutually beneficial and strategic partnership over our five decades of bilateral relationship.

The Minister stated this in his message of felicitations to the Secretary of State of the United States of America Antony J. Blinken on the occasion of their 246th Independence Day.

Minister Shahid extended warm greetings and best wishes to the Secretary of State, the Government and the people of the United States, on behalf of the Government, the people of Maldives and on his own behalf.

In his message, the Minister highlighted that cooperation between both the countries has expanded, spanning across multiple areas including security, climate change, governance, democracy consolidation, trade and investment.

He noted the continuous and generous assistances extended to the Maldives by the United States, especially during challenging times such as the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Highlighting that the United States has thus far contributed over 5.4 million US Dollars in aid which has immensely increased the capacity of the Maldives’ to combat the spread of the virus and boosted the overall economic recovery efforts, Minister Shahid stated that this is testament to the generosity of the American people as well as the thriving bilateral relations between our two countries.

He expressed hope to further deepen the engagement of both the countries with the establishment of a diplomatic mission of the Maldives in Washington soon.

Sending his best wishes for the good health and well-being of the Secretary of State, and for further progress of the people of the United States of America, Minister Shahid concluded his message with the assurances of his highest consideration.